Today, Leo Varadkar, the Taoiseach, declared his intent to resign from his role as the head of Fine Gael, effective immediately. As Taoiseach, he will retain his position until the party elects a new leader. The expectation is that this process will conclude by the party’s ardfheis in the early part of April.
Following this, the Dáil intends to vote the newly chosen Fine Gael leader into the Taoiseach position. Varadkar revealed his resignation in a heartfelt speech, delivered outside the Government Buildings. Here is a synopsis of his statement:
He began by expressing gratitude and moved on to reflect on his two-decade-long career in public service. He spoke of his 13-year tenure as a cabinet member, his seven-year leadership of his party, and his time as the Taoiseach of Ireland, which he deemed to be the most rewarding phase of his life.
Varadkar also mentioned his accomplishments during his tenure. He highlighted his role in transitioning the country from a state of unemployment to full employment, steering the budget from a deficit to a surplus, and navigating the nation through a pandemic where numerous lives and livelihoods were saved.
The Taoiseach took pride in the strides the country made toward equality, modernity, and rights of the LGBT community, children, and women. The country also managed to pull through an inflation cost-of-living crisis.
He talked about the significant progress made toward affordable healthcare and child care, the implementation of a national living wage, statutory sick pay, lower personal taxes, and enhanced family leave, thus bettering the work-life balance for parents.
During his term as Taoiseach, Varadkar accomplished the promise of doubling the spending on arts, culture, and sports, leaving an ongoing positive impact.
Lastly, he lauded the leadership that increased international development spending and enhanced Ireland’s global diplomatic presence, thereby strengthening the country’s soft power.
The mission to implement a national broadband system to offer fibre-based internet to every home, business, institution, farm and community in Ireland is well off the ground, despite the scepticism many expressed about its viability. We’ve made significant strides in establishing technological universities and the Rural Development Fund and since 2011 we’ve dramatically increased our annual investment in public infrastructure, quadrupling the overall amount.
We have dedicated substantial funding towards key areas like housing, healthcare facilities, school infrastructure and climate action initiatives. I’m immensely proud that we were able to provide a haven for over 100,000 Ukrainian refugees who were in desperate need of protection, despite the ensuing difficulties.
As Taoiseach, we were able to reduce persistent poverty and income disparity. We’ve exceeded expectations in housing construction, which has doubled, and 500 new individuals are becoming homeowners each week – a figure not seen for nearly twenty years.
Certainly, not every project has been successful, with some sectors experiencing setbacks. However, I trust the public and critics to flag these issues without my needing to point them out today. They will undoubtedly find ample opportunity to do so, with plenty of media coverage and column inches awaiting them.
When I assumed the responsibility of party leader and Taoiseach in June 2017, I understood that good leadership includes knowing when to pass the mantle, and having the courage to follow through. That time has arrived, so as of today, I am stepping down as president and leader of Fine Gael. I will also relinquish my role as Taoiseach once my successor is ready to take on the role.
My expectation is for our party general secretary and the executive council to ensure the election of the new leader before the ardfheis on Saturday, April 16th. This will facilitate a smooth transition for the new Taoiseach when the Dáil resumes after the Easter break.
I am aware that my decision will come as a shock to some and will disappoint others, but I trust you will understand my reasons. I also have faith that democracy will provide the resilience needed for those who find this news unsettling.
Despite there never being an ideal moment for relinquishing my post, the present circumstances are as appropriate as any for me to step down. The 2024 budget has been finalised while discussions on the subsequent one are yet to kick off. The Good Friday Agreement establishments are back in operation and we have a firm and steady commercial relationship with the UK, post-Brexit.
A span of two full months will be available for the incoming Taoiseach to gear up for local and European elections and possibly an entire year prior to the next general polls.
My exit is prompted by both personal and political reasons. I am faithful that both this Government and Fine Gael, my own party, can return victorious in the voting. Above all, I am convinced that the right course for our nation’s future would be the recurrence of this tri-party Government to continue steering us forward, safeguarding the progress made so far and further building upon it.
Nevertheless, after much reflection, I surmise that a fresh leader would be more competent to realise this outcome. To rejuvenate and reinforce the team. To shape our message around policies and fuel their execution. After a tenure of seven years, I no longer perceive myself as the best fit for this role.
Within the forthcoming local European elections are reliable colleagues and dear friends in competition. My hope is to maximise their chances of success, which I think will be better served under new leadership. I withdraw with complete trust in the nation and economy, in their favourable state, and confident that my counterparts representing all three parties – Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil, and the Greens – in the Government and the Oireachtas will persist with their diligent work for the country’s well-being.
On a personal note, my tenure being concerning the role of a Taoiseach, a leader, and a cabinet member since March 2011 has been fulfilling. It has enriched me with knowledge about various subjects, provided opportunities to acquaint myself with people and places, both domestic and foreign, which I might have never encountered. I am deeply grateful for this experience and despite all hurdles, highly endorse a political career to anyone mulling over it.
Despite being politicians, we are also fallible humans who eventually reach a point of exhaustion and need to proceed forward. Very much so, I’ll keep discharging my responsibilities as the Taoiseach right until a fresh face takes the helm and will also uphold my role as the consistency TD for West Dublin.
I’m quite aware that my decision might incite conjectures about the ‘so-called’ real motivations. I openly testify, the reasons provided are genuine and the complete truth. I have no alternate arrangements in place, no defined personal or political schemes yet. However, I’m enthusiastically anticipating the opportunities to contemplate on them.
I would love to utilise this moment to extend my gratitude to my party, my co-workers and associates, notably Micheál and Eamon, my constituents, team and staff for their remarkable efforts and unswerving loyalty. I plan to personally convey my appreciation to all of them very soon. I would like to culminate by expressing my profound thanks to the citizens of Ireland for granting me the privilege to serve them. I solemnly vow that I will maintain my commitment to serve Ireland and my community in whatever capacity possible in the days to come. My heartfelt thanks.