EMOTIONAL Leo Varadkar has stepped down as Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader and declared: "After seven years in office, I am no longer the best person for that job."
Flanked by several Fine Gael Ministers, Varadkar's voice cracked as he made the announcement at midday after meeting with Cabinet this morning.
He said: "I am resigning as President and Leader of Fine Gael effective today.
"There's never a right time to resign high office, however this is as good a time as any.
"My reasons for stepping down are both personal and political."
He said he had come to the decision after "much soul searching" and that his work in politics had been the most "fulfilling time of my life".
He added: "I know this will come as a surprise to many people, and a disappointment for some, but I hope you will understand my decision.
"There is never a right time to resign high office, however this is as good a time as any."
Varadkar said he has asked that a new Fine Gael leader be elected before the Ard Dheis on April 16.
He added: "The new Taoiseach will have a full two months to prepare for the local and European elections, and up to a year for the next general election."
The announcement comes just days after his return from the US on the traditional St Patrick's Day visit to meet with President Joe Biden in the White House.
Speculation had mounted over his future all morning after it was confirmed he'd brief the media at midday.
The 45-year-old had previously said he wouldn't stay in politics beyond the age of 50.
LEO'S EMOTIONAL SPEECH
"On a personal level, I have enjoyed being Taoiseach, Leader and a Cabinet member since March 2011.
"I have learned so much about so many things, met people who I would never have got to meet, been to places I would never have seen, both home and abroad. I am deeply grateful for it and would wholeheartedly recommend a career in politics to anyone considering it.
"However, politicians are human beings. We have our limitations. We give it everything until we can’t anymore and then we have to move on.
"I will, of course, continue to fulfil my duties as Taoiseach until a new Taoiseach is elected and will remain as a constituency TD for Dublin West.
"I know, inevitably, there will be speculation as to the ‘real reason’ for my decision. These are the real reasons. That’s it.
"I have nothing else lined up or in mind. No definite personal or political plans, but I am looking forward to having the time to think about them.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank my Party, my coalition partners Micheál and Eamon, Constituents, colleagues and staff for their loyalty and their phenomenal work, and will also thank them in person in the near future.
"Most of all, I’d like to finish by thanking the people of Ireland for giving me the opportunity to serve them. I promise I will keep working for Ireland and my community in any way I can in the future."
And several Fine Gael Ministers look set to contest for the leadership role, with Simon Coveney, Simon Harris and Paschal Donohoe all possibilities to enter the race.
Ministers Heather Humphreys, Helen McEntee, Simon Harris, Simon Coveney, Paschal Donohoe and Hildegarde Naughton were all by Varadkar's side as he announced the move outside Government Buildings.
Serving twice as Taoiseach, Varadkar was first elected to the Dail back in 2007.
Before that, the qualified GP was a member and Deputy Mayor of Fingal County Council - securing the largest personal vote in Ireland in the 2004 local elections.
Becoming leader of Fine Gael in 2017, the Blanchardstown native served as Taoiseach from 2017 to 2020, before returning to the role in December 2022.
Varadkar was Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment as part of the current coalition government from June 2020 to December 2022, while Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin served as Taoiseach.
He also served as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport as well as as Minister for Health during his career.
Varadkar also re-registered as a doctor during the Covid-19 pandemic, working on frontline testing and also when the vaccination rollout commenced.
Varadkar last week brought US President Biden to tears when he paid tribute to his late son in a moving speech about leadership at the White House.
As part of the traditional shamrock ceremony, the Taoiseach and President Biden both gave speeches to a crowd of Irish Americans at the White House.
In a touching moment, the Taoiseach paid tribute to the President's late son Beau Biden who passed away from cancer in 2015.
The Taoiseach said: "This week meeting so many proud Irish Americans about sacred promises and I’ve been thinking in particular of the words of one courageous Irish American, a lawyer and a decorated war hero who spoke so eloquently about the sacred promises we make as leaders.
"To quote his words: it is about the promises we make to our children who deserve a chance to succeed, the promises that we make to each other, the sacred promise to work for a better future for all – those were the words of Beau Biden.
"When we are elected to office we each make a sacred promise.
"To our communities, our party, our country, to ourselves. And we dedicate ourselves to honour it, not always succeeding, but always doing our best no matter how challenging the circumstances."
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The crowd at the White House shamrock ceremony burst into applause after the Taoiseach mentioned Beau Biden’s name and President Biden looked solemnly at the stage before wiping tears away from his eyes as he became emotional.
President Biden’s eldest son Beau was a politician and lawyer before he died of glioblastoma at the age of 46 in 2015.