Leo Varadkar is resigning as taoiseach (Irish prime minister) and Fine Gael leader after a turbulent number of weeks for his party.
He says his decision to step down is for both “personal and political” reasons.
A new leader “will be better placed” to lead the party into the next general election, Varadkar adds.
Tánaiste (Irish deputy PM) Micheál Martin says Varadkar’s announcement is “unprecedented in many ways”.
His departure as head of the three-party coalition does not automatically trigger a general election, but he will be replaced by a new Fine Gael leader.
Rishi Sunak wishes Varadkar well, saying he will work closely with his successor.
Watch our live coverage by pressing the ‘Play’ button at the top of this page.
Deputy PM rules out early election
Micheál Martin, the tánaiste (Ireland’s deputy prime minister), has ruled out bringing forward the next general election.
Rules state that the next election must take place by early 2025, and a stream of opposition leaders have called for an early vote in the wake of Leo Varadkar’s resignation
But while Martin says he was “surprised” by the announcement, he insists the current coalition will serve its full term.
“This is a coalition of three parties, not personalities, and I remain committed to the continuation of government”, he says.
“I’ve been very consistent from the very beginning that my view is the government should go full term, and that remains my position as of today”.
