Leo Varadkar to step down as Taoiseach

[LookItsMeAgain]

Breaking news.

This is currently on the RTE News Now app and on the BBC World news service that Leo is about to make an announcement that he is stepping down as Taoiseach and will not be leading FG into the next election.

I wonder who becomes Taoiseach then? Does Micheal Martin step back up to the role???

[Taytocrisps]

I presume MM will take over, at least until the next election. I wonder who will replace him as leader of FG? Simon Coveney is currently Deputy Leader.

[LadyEloise1]

The question is Why ?
Why now ?

[EspressoMacchiato]

It’s like taking off your dirty knickers, turning them inside out and putting them back on.

Back to Micheál again?

[EspressoMacchiato]

@LadyEloise1

The question is Why ?
Why now ?

The referendum disaster

[Taytocrisps]

@EspressoMacchiato

It’s like taking off your dirty knickers, turning them inside out and putting them back on.

Back to Micheál again?

It's like Lannigan's Ball - "He stepped out, I stepped in again..."

[Loveofmine]

Felt sorry for him during that speech - he looked like he was about to cry. I wonder if he’s ill.

[Wishimaywishimight]

@Loveofmine I was listening to him on the radio, he sounded so emotional. Regardless of what people think of him as a politician, he's still a human being. I hope there is nothing wrong and that it's just as he says; he no longer feels he's the right person for the job (and perhaps has another role lined up already).

[Chulainn]

Leo's successor as FG leader will be the next Taoiseach as it's still FG's turn. I think Ciarán Cannon's announcement that he was stepping down at the next GE was the last straw as that's about 10 FG TDs who won't be going for re-election. The referenda results, the lack of experienced TDs running for re-election, plus his unpopularity with a lot of the public - he probably knew FG would get thrashed in the local and European elections this summer so went before he got pushed. To be honest, I think he should have been ousted a long time ago - around the time when he leaked the GP contract. He's skirted on the bounds of breaking the law many times and has been lucky to get away with it.

[Igotmylipstickon]

I wouldn't have thought that the referendum disaster was enough reason. I also wonder if he is sick. He looks quite emotional.

[LadyEloise1]

@Chulainn

Leo's successor as FG leader will be the next Taoiseach as it's still FG's turn. I think Ciarán Cannon's announcement that he was stepping down at the next GE was the last straw as that's about 10 FG TDs who won't be going for re-election. The referenda results, the lack of experienced TDs running for re-election, plus his unpopularity with a lot of the public - he probably knew FG would get thrashed in the local and European elections this summer so went before he got pushed. To be honest, I think he should have been ousted a long time ago - around the time when he leaked the GP contract. He's skirted on the bounds of breaking the law many times and has been lucky to get away with it.

Hear hear 👏🏻

[LookItsMeAgain]

Looks like he'll stay on as Taoiseach until the new FG Leader is elected, which according to his comments is to happen before April 16th (or was it 18th), when the FG Ard Fheis is due to take place. Then the Dail will be on Easter break and by the time the Dail reconvenes, the new leader and Taoiseach will be in place.

I wonder if Simon Coveney wants the role as Taoiseach as I think he's very happy in Foreign Affairs and as Deputy Party leader. Who would want to take on the role??

Has to come from the FG party and I think from the elected party members.

Who was it that said a curse was "to live in interesting times"....well, we're certainly living in interesting times

[Taytocrisps]

Maybe he's just had enough of the abuse. I've read some very nasty comments about him online, some of them referring to his sexual orientation. A career in politics has never been for the fainthearted, but I think social media has added a new (and very ugly) dimension to it. Ciarán Cannon has already announced that he's stepping down, citing "a toxicity in politics".

But maybe he has another job lined up.

Or maybe he just wanted to go before the next general election.

[3luckystars]

Ah I liked him. Hope he is alright.

[DeanElderberry]

He has been a disastrously bad Taoiseach. He looked better dressed than Boris Johnson at meetings between the two, and had a good day or two at the start of lockdown, but apart from that he has run hise party into the mud. Did the sad face he pulled after the referendum results indicate that he thought that that misconceived exercise was going to buy him another few months?

[VaddaABeetch]

a 5 minute speech telling us how wonderful he is. I don’t feel one bit sorry for him.

[honeyrider]

@VaddaABeetch

a 5 minute speech telling us how wonderful he is. I don’t feel one bit sorry for him.

Neither do I, I'm so happy he's stepping down.

[VaddaABeetch]

Leo failed. He failed to do his job.

[DeanElderberry]

And still talking about his broadband plan as though it was a good or a credible thing. The critics are critical for a reason man, like they were wrt the constitutional changes. Muppet.

[DeanElderberry]

Still, at least he's being discussed on three separate threads, edging into Kate Middleton territory.

[DeanElderberry]

Sorry, four threads, he's in Sex and Feminism too, for some reason.

[VaddaABeetch]

He was no friend to women in Ireland. Trying to remove woman from the constitution.

[Loveofmine]

I don’t think he would resign due to the referendum. He’s not one to fall on his sword - Roderic could’ve gone or any number of others more closely linked to it - it wasn’t even set by FG! So i doubt it’s that. Ill health or a scandal somewhere I think.

[TheMurderousGoose]

He’s been a fucking dismal excuse for a Taoiseach.
 
Good riddance.

[Chulainn]

In my view, one of Leo's problems is he never focused on the actual job he had. He always seemed to be looking for his next, better job. When he was a junior minister he always commented on other higher profile portfolios. Even as health minister he talked about finance etc. He did nothing to improve the health system. As Taoiseach, he has always seemed to be looking for a move to Europe. Even as Tanaiste, he still behaved as if he was Taoiseach, although I blame MM for that as he allowed Leo to do major interviews while he stayed in the background.

I don't agree with the personal attacks that he's had. However, he was not a good politician. It took him 5 counts to get re-elected in the last GE. I think some of the toxicity in politics can be laid at his door. If the Taoiseach is leaking left, right and centre, plus acts arrogantly and ignores best political practice, it causes resentment.

Unfortunately, I think Ireland has the same political vacuum that the UK has - no obvious leaders and politicians who don't seem to know what they are doing. I think the Irish system needs major reform regarding politicians. We have too many political families, teachers who can keep their jobs on hold but have no experience of politics when elected etc.

[miri1985]

I think he knows the next general election will be disastrous and probably the Europeans too so hes going out on a high after hes had his little jaunt to America. If he was really doing it for the good of the party/State, he would have stepped aside at the start of the year and let the new Taoiseach have their shamrock moment and a sit down with Biden.

Does anyone know is he staying on as a TD?