Leo Varadkar resigns as Taoiseach

Yep. More could have been done during this golden tax revenue period. It cant last forever and Ireland completley outpuches its weight with regards the amount of MNCs here.

Long may it continue, but in reality, it cant last forever & so we should be doing more with the tax take whilst we have it.

I've never been happier to see a resignation. I'm inclined to wonder if Leo isn't the most despised Taoiseach ever? (And, yes, I remember Bertie, and Biffo, and Haughey).

Personally, I hope the Government runs its complete term. Not because I support FG, FF, or the Greens. The level of incompetence and arrogance they've shown is truly breathtaking. Nor do I have any hope for SF.

Their social policies are almost indistinguishable from FF and FG at this point. Recent referenda results have proven they are as out of touch with the mood of the electorate as the Government - and that's saying something.

We need change. An election in the near future does not allow time for smaller parties to organise candidates, or new parties to form. So, whereas my knee jerk reaction to Leo's announcement was to wish Eamon Ryan, Roderick O Gorman, Helen McEntee, Simon Harris, Simon Coveney, Michael Martin, and Mary Lou would jump ship too, on reflection, I think the best hope for the Irish people is that they stick around another while, in the hope that a better alternative presents itself.

I'll still go to sleep with a smile on my face, though, at the thought of hearing less waffle or condescension from Leo...

It doesn't say much for the opposition that Varadkar thinks he can go when he pleases. If the opposition of any party looked in strong shape to form the next government no way would he have stood down early.

In a funny way Varadkar has really played the opposition like a harp. Because some could not wait to try and get rid of him, but him going of his own choosing leaves the opposition looking weak/ill-prepared. They had no prepared spiel ready to "connect with voters". It was real shrewd move. Will bring some fresh leadership, and if the opposition call for "change" they will just sound silly.

Meanwhile if FF and FG do anyway decent it will them and one of the Greens/Labour/Soc Dems etc. I think given the government's performance during Covid in particular, unless the electorate have a set on the government they can't do worse than the last GE.

It makes SF's error of calling for a Yes/Yes with the government in the referendum look more like a real own goal. How can SF call the government "out of touch" after that?

They were elected by the population. The term is 5 years. Why would you expect an election now ?

Wealthier people can afford to get into more debt to aqquire over inflated homes. Don’t forget the lending rules changed recently to drive on the debt.

That’s ignoring the pressure from Councils and investment funds/ buy to rents.

The way things are going, both partners in a couple NEED to work in order to be able to afford a place, to just about tread water. Kids are becoming a luxury, curiously only affordable now to people who don't work to spawn the next generation of the idle.

This country is becoming less and less hospitable for the so-called "people who get up early in the morning".

Getting out while the going's good.

Leo looking out for Leo.

From reading posts on here and talking to people, it seems there are two distinct camps. Those that think the sun shone from his back side and those that see him as a spoofer.

I never liked him but he certainly seemed to have lost his spark in recent years compared to his early political life.

But the fact remains, we are wealthy country, yet he has presided over a terribly wasteful period for the Irish state, people can't buy houses, soaring rents, shambles of health service, lack of school places, stripped back gardai and defence forces (plus low morale in both), failed and unpopular immigration policies, lack of foresight when it comes to infrastructure. Lets not forgot the handling of covid and coming out of lockdowns.

He was so out of touch with the public mood its not funny (so is the whole government for that matter), he looked down on people with opposing views and only cared about himself and how he looked to foreign leaders.

Delighted to see him go, but the options, on either side of the house, don't inspire confidence in change.

Paddy power has Harris as the favourite, the current Minister of a department I never even heard of. Inspiring stuff

He received 2 serious kicks to the arse.

Thats an interesting question - is Varadkar the most despised Taoiseach ever.

Its a very different question to asking if he has been a good or bad Taoiseach.

You remember Biffo and Bertie and Haughey, and you know well therefore there's no way on Gods earth you can argue hes been bad compared to that lot.

However, most despised is a different question because obviously we live in a social media age where 'despising' is what people do, and they like to do it publically.

Its all about me, my feelings, I'm mad as hell and I want everyone to know it.

Personally, I'm very worried at the moment that this opens the way for Conor McGregor types to step into politics; people who play to social media, rather than having any actual substance.

For me personally, in my lifetime, I've never been more disappointed to see a politician resign. Not because I think Varadkar is amazing, but because good politicians are saying 'this isnt worth it'. And that will just leave the nutjobs.

He wasn't the worst of them, just disappointed me that his forthrightness evaporated when he got the top job, the consequence of keeping the peace in a coalition I suppose.

Harris is a complete and utter joke.

FG will crash and burn with him “leading” them.