'A brave decision': Offaly Minister on Varadkar

Offaly Cabinet Minister Pippa Hackett has paid tribute to the outgoing Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, in the wake of the announcement yesterday of his decision to step down.

Minister Hackett said: "I want to pay tribute to Leo Varadkar for his dedication to the role of Taoiseach over the last number of years. As a minister who as sat alongside him in cabinet I know it is a role he both enjoyed and was very good at. It is never easy to make the decision to step away from the highest office in Government so I believe it’s a brave decision.

"Obviously the work of Government will go on uninterrupted. Leo will remain as Taoiseach in the coming weeks, and our work continues."