The government’s crushing defeat in the Care and Family referendums almost two weeks ago was not the reason for Leo Varadkar’s resignation today, Minister Eamon Ryan has said.
Speaking in the wake of Varadkar’s announcement that he would be stepping down as Fine Gael leader and Taoiseach, Ryan said he didn’t believe the referendums played a significant factor in the decision.
“I don’t think so,” the Green Party leader said.
“I mean, obviously you take everything into account in politics. But I don’t think it was the defining reason. I don’t think it was the sole reason for the timing.”
He said that while it may have been “one of the elements” that contributed to the choice, there were likely other more significant factors at play.
“I think the timing was wider – we’ve got budgets in place, we have functioning Good Friday institutions, I think there’s a gap before the Local and European elections. And that timing probably influenced him more than the referendum.”
He added: “I think probably, as Taoiseach, he wanted to get through with us to try and deliver the referendum and get the result. But I don’t think the result of that referendum was the key factor in his decision.”
During the Taoiseach’s emotional resignation address, he said he was “proud” that he has made Ireland a “more equal and more modern place” on a variety of issues, such as the rights of “the LGBT community”, “equality for women and their bodily autonomy.,” and more.
“More recently, we have led the country through an inflation and cost of living crisis, the worst of which is now thankfully behind us,” he said.
“…I am proud that we, the Irish people, welcomed over 100,000 Ukrainian refugees to our shores when they needed our protection, notwithstanding the challenges this brings.
“In my time as Taoiseach, we reduced consistent poverty and income inequality. Housing construction has more than doubled, with five hundred people becoming homeowners every week for the first time – the highest number in almost two decades.”
He concluded by saying: “…I’d like to finish by thanking the people of Ireland for giving me the opportunity to serve them. I promise I will keep working for Ireland and my community in any way I can in the future.”