Leo Varadkar's full statement as he resigns as Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader

Leo Varadkar confirmed he was stepping down as Taoiseach and as leader of the Fine Gael Party in an emotional press conference at Government Buildings on Wednesday.

I have had the privilege to serve for the past 20 years as a public representative, 13 as a member of Cabinet, seven as leader of my Party, and most of those as Taoiseach of this great country. It's been the most fulfilling time of my life. We’ve made work pay better, with the phased implementation of a national Living Wage and statutory sick pay, lower personal taxes and improved family leave, allowing parents to spend more time with their children in those crucial early years.

I am proud that we, the Irish people, welcomed over 100,000 Ukrainian refugees to our shores when they needed our protection, notwithstanding the challenges this brings. So, I am resigning as President and Leader of Fine Gael effective today, and will resign as Taoiseach as soon as my successor is able to take up that office.

The institutions of the Good Friday Agreement are working again, and our trading relationship with the United Kingdom, in the post-Brexit era, is settled and stable. The new Taoiseach will have a full two months to prepare for the Local and European Elections, and up to a year before the next General Election.I believe this Government can be re-elected. I believe my Party, Fine Gael, can gain seats in the next Dáil.

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