Michael Martin

Tánaiste (deputy prime minister) Mr Varadkar takes over from Mr Martin as government leader, while Mr Martin becomes tánaiste. The rotation of power was laid ...

Under the deal, six senior ministerial posts were each allocated to Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, and three to the Green Party. [won the most first-preference votes](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-51432660) and ran a close second to Fianna Fáil in the number of seats taken. A former minister for health, Mr Martin's time as taoiseach has been dominated by Covid, the war in Ukraine and the stand-off between the European Union and the UK over the Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil, for decades the largest parties in the Republic of Ireland, trace their origins to the opposing sides in the Irish Civil War of the early 1920s. Domestically, Mr Varadkar and his fellow ministers in the three-party coalition will have to convince a sceptical electorate that they are delivering on housing, heath and the cost of living. "I want to work with all parties in this House and in Northern Ireland, as well as with the British government and our partners in the European Union, to make progress on the protocol and restore the institutions of the Agreement." [Good Friday Agreement](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-61968177) - the 1998 deal designed to end 30 years of bloody conflict in Northern Ireland. [Brexit-related Northern Ireland Protocol](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/explainers-53724381) remain unresolved between the EU and the UK. Addressing the Dáil following his appointment on Saturday, Mr Varadkar said his mission would be to build on the achievement of 100 years ago and work on what needs to done for this generation and the next. [Fine Gael party, Mr Martin's Fianna Fáil and the Green Party](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-53181372) in a historic compromise. In the past, a coalition between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael would have been thought to be as unlikely as Labour and the Conservatives going into government together in London. [agreed the deal after a general election in 2020](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-52287375), when Sinn Féin surged to win the most first-preference votes.

Micheál Martin has formally resigned his position, as he met with President Michael D Higgins earlier, before a vote of the Dáil is set to elect Leo Varadkar ...

The Dáil has voted to elect Leo Varadkar as Taoiseach, replacing Micheál Martin. 87 TDs voted in favour of Mr Varadkar's nomination, and 62 TDs voted ...

He added: "In 2020 the new Taoiseach was unable to have his wife and family with him in the Convention Centre as he received the greatest honour of his life. In his speech, Mr Martin urged the defence of democracy amid rising populism. Mr Varadkar said he would take on the role of Taoiseach with "humility and resolve". "During the pandemic we saw the best of each other, and it meant that the new coalition was born in a spirit of togetherness and hope. President Higgins this afternoon signed the Warrant of Appointment and presented the seal of the Taoiseach and seal of the Government to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar— President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) Speaking in the Dáil following the vote, Mr Varadkar said that he commended Mr Martin "on the leadership he has shown as Taoiseach, for putting the country before politics, and for providing reassurance and hope during difficult times".

Micheal Martin has formally resigned as Ireland's premier, paving the way for Leo Varadkar to succeed him in a planned handover of power. Mr Varadkar will.

I look forward to maintaining this spirit during the rest of our term.” I have sought always to work on behalf of all the Irish people and not just those who support my party and our colleagues in government.” Close to one million people are on treatment waiting lists, many working families queue at food banks to get a hot meal. She said the resignation of Mr Martin should trigger a general election as she accused the coalition of being “out of touch, out of ideas and out of time”. He was accompanied by his wife Mary. Mr Martin said it had been “the honour of a lifetime” to serve the public as taoiseach.