Fianna Fáil leader and Tánaiste Micheál Martin has said that the government is based on “issues and policy, not personalities”, following the resignation of Leo Varadkar as Taoiseach and leader of Fine Gael.
The Taoiseach announced today (Wednesday, March 20) that he would resign as leader of Fine Gael immediately, and will stay on as Taoiseach until his successor as party leader is determined in the coming weeks.
Reacting to the development, Martin – who is Minister for Foreign Affairs – said he fully respects what was “a personal decision” for the Taoiseach.
“I want to thank [Varadkar] for his service to the country as a TD, as a minister, and as Taoiseach. We have a strong professional relationships, which is important when it comes to working together in government.
“It’s important to remember this is a three-party coalition. I remain fully committed to the continuation of government. As I’ve always said, this government has a mandate from the people that runs for another year,” the Tánaiste added.
Minister Martin commented: “The government is based on issues and policy, not personalities. We have an important job to steer the economy, to improve public service, and to build more homes for people.”
Government
Meanwhile, Green Party leader Eamon Ryan has said that the coalition agreement between the three governing parties “stands” following Varadkar’s resignation.
Following the announcement, Ryan – who is Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications and Minister for Transport – said that the coalition is between the three partiers – Fine Gael, the Green Party and Fianna Fáil – and not their respective leaders – Varadkar, Ryan and Martin.
“It’s worth noting that the agreement at the start of this government was between the three coalition parties, not the three leaders.
“The agreement stands, particularly in light of the important work that this government has to do,” Minister Ryan added.
The Green Party leader said he offered his “sincere thanks to Leo Varadkar for his work as Taoiseach”.
“He has been an energetic and committed leader of the country who was always supportive of his government colleagues,” Minister Ryan added.
“The Green Party looks forward to the conclusion of the Fine Gael leadership contest and the election of a new Taoiseach by Dáil Éireann.
“In the interim, the important work of government continues and the three coalition parties will continue to fulfil our mandate, just as we have done over the last three-and-a-half-years,” he said.
Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) and Green Party Senator Pippa Hackett also paid tribute to Leo Varadkar “for his dedication to the role of Taoiseach over the last number of years”.
“As a minister who sat alongside him in Cabinet, I know it is a role he both enjoyed and was very good at.
“It is never easy to make the decision to step away from the highest office in government so I believe it’s a brave decision.
“Obviously, the work of government will go on uninterrupted. Leo will remain as Taoiseach in the coming weeks and our work continues,” Minister Hackett said.
The Taoiseach said he is stepping down as Taoiseach and leader of Fine Gael for “personal and political” reasons.
In an address to the nation today, the Taoiseach said he always “knew that one part of leadership is knowing when the time has come to pass on the baton to someone else”.
He said he had taken the decision to step away from the office of Taoiseach and as leader of his party after “careful consideration and some soul-searching”.
“I believe a new Taoiseach will be better-placed than me to achieve that – to renew and strengthen the top team, to refocus our message and policies, and to drive implementation. After seven years in office, I am no longer the best person for that job.
“There are loyal colleagues and good friends contesting the local and European elections (in June) and I want to give them the best chance possible. I think they will now have a better chance under a new leader,” he added.