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Tánaiste Micheál Martin has said he “didn’t expect it at all” that the Taoiseach would announce his resignation.
Speaking at Leinster House, Mr Varadkar said that being Taoiseach has been the most fulfilling time of his life, with Ireland becoming a more equal and modern place, including for women and LGBT people.
The leader of Fianna Fáil was speaking after the Taoiseach’s announcement and said he and Green Party Leader Eamon Ryan were briefed by Mr Varadkar yesterday evening in relation to his plans and that he was surprised by his decision.
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Mr Martin said the three of them got on well, which was important in terms of the continuity and stability of the Government.
He wished Mr Varadkar well in both his personal life and career into the future.
“This is a coalition of three parties, not personalities, and I remain committed to the continuation of government, to the fulfilment of our mandate and to the implementation of Government,” Mr Martin said and added that there are still very serious issues to be dealt with.
Mr Martin said they would work with the newly elected Fine Gael leader in terms of continuing the coalition.
He said the Taoiseach is entitled to take a decision of this kind for personal reasons and for political reasons.
“Our system of government as laid out in the Constitution is in terms of a Dáil majority, electing a government of the day and ministers of the day and that is no different as a result of this decision.”
Mr Martin said it is new and it is unprecedented in many ways but it has happened before where Taoisigh have been elected and mid-stream in different Dáils but in his view they have a clear mandate and a clear programme for Government.
Mr Martin said it was “not for any Fianna Fáil leader to comment on who the next leader of Fine Gael should be”.
He said it was his sense that the public want politicians to focus on the day-to-day issues that concern them and that they have done a good job.
He said it was his view that governments should go full term.
“That creates stability, it avoids short-term decision making and it gives a better policy focus than a short-term electoral run,” Mr Martin said.
“That is why I’ve been absolutely steadfast and consistent on this since the beginning of this Government that it should go full term and that remains my position,” he added.
Speaking to RTÉ News, Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns said she was also “shocked” when she heard the news, but that overall it was not very surprising.
She said his resignation does not “instil confidence in the coalition”.
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