look at al shifa let's have a look at al shifa hospital. it was raided again. the idf have updated. they say they killed around 90 gun men and arrested 160 a night raid. a statement says over the past day, troops have eliminated terrace and located weapons in the hospital area while preventing harm to civilians, medical team and medical equipment. is in a statement. has been condemnation of the operation because it obviously focused on a hospital. hamas said israel had violated international law because hospitals are supposed to be protected. civil rights groups and human rights groups have called for more protection for hospitals. has also been french israeli air strikes overnight in gaza. dozens of

palestinians reportedly killed in the northern and central parts of gaza. i want to show you some pictures of the israel defence forces. these are their own hand—out pictures showing some of the strikes. israel these strikes are on hamas terrorist. local palestinian media in gaza reports many of the victims from the strikes were organising security for aid deliveries. no comments specifically from israel on that. the mornings continue at the increasingly dire humanitarian situation we are seeing in gaza at the moment. the ethics are still continuing entail hard to try to achieve a humanitarian ceasefire. —— the efforts are still continuing in the qatari capital to achieve a humanitarian ceasefire. antony blinken is visiting saudi arabia today to talk about the long—term post will feature in gaza and what that might look like.

tomorrow he will visit egypt, a key break—up of those talks, alongside patel. interesting the discussions happening today in saudi arabia about the post—war feature of gaza where at the moment a humanitarian ceasefire itself still seems elusive. israel is still talking about an intensified ground operation in the 7000 city of rafah, where more than half of the population is currently sheltering. the israeli defence minister will travel to the us next week to talk about those plans. israel has made it very clear they cannot support an israeli ground operation in rafah unless there is some sort of plan. israel travelling to the us next week to further discuss that. thank you. we will be back with you a little later on in the programme.

last month, baby loss certificates were introduced in england in february for parents who've lost a baby before 2a weeks of pregnancy. originally, babies, who died after 2a weeks, were officially registered but this was not done for babies before that stage. every year, there are thought to be a quarter of a million miscarriages and more than 11,000 hospital admissions for losses because of ectopic pregnancies. i'm joined by bbc presenter emma barnett, who herself has now received a baby loss certificate for a miscarriage. thank you for coming in and talking about something, really personal issue. you have written very movingly on the bbc news website. people can see the article on there. why do you feel this is something you had to do? i

why do you feel this is something you had to do?— why do you feel this is something you had to do? i have 'ust come on air and we — you had to do? i have 'ust come on air and we had h you had to do? i have 'ust come on air and we had a h you had to do? i have 'ust come on air and we had a very _ you had to do? i have just come on air and we had a very emotional- air and we had a very emotional conversation on woman's hour about this. this is the first wave to apply for this may below certificate. there was a conversation i had last month with the women who campaign for this. i realised i could apply for it. i lost a baby at the beginning of 2022, january 2022. i thought to myself this is something i feel is important to have recorded outside of myself. my baby lived and died within me. i am their witness, the keeper of that and my husband felt that loss extremely keenly as well, as did my widerfamily. people wanted to move on, understandably. we went on with our sixth round of ivf and had a daughter. i am incredibly thankful and fortunate. i

still thought, i would like in our family file, a record external to me, of our loss. i think, family file, a record external to me, of our loss. ithink, having spoken to a lot of women and also heard from some men that it is important. felt to me some sort of vindication you do not need it. i also heard from when he did not want to, who are not ready and do not feel it is for them. the me personally, especially when you look at the long history of records, a lot of women's lives are not documented. a lot of inner lives are left within us and die within us when we go. i feel when this arrived, i have it here, it is a very official document, a government document. not a legal document that it is a record and it will go on file with our children's birth certificate. i —— ifelt when it arrived it was important. certificate. i -- i felt when it arrived it was important. also it aoes arrived it was important. also it

goes back— arrived it was important. also it goes back on — arrived it was important. also it goes back on a _ arrived it was important. also it goes back on a time _ arrived it was important. also it goes back on a time in - arrived it was important. also it goes back on a time in your - arrived it was important. also it goes back on a time in your life| goes back on a time in your life which was difficult.— goes back on a time in your life which was difficult. that is why i am talking _ which was difficult. that is why i am talking about _ which was difficult. that is why i am talking about it _ which was difficult. that is why i am talking about it today. - which was difficult. that is why i am talking about it today. it - which was difficult. that is why i am talking about it today. it is l which was difficult. that is why i i am talking about it today. it is new and good to raise awareness. also, in this very simple. i was surprised, often with government forms and paying taxes and all of that, it is not the easiest. this was very straightforward. you can enter a very small amount of information, you can apply for several. there is a cut—off at the moment to limit overwhelming the system but that will be removed. that date is being made? the anime, i want to say that. i put it in. i found it more emotional than i thought, inputting the information. i had no recollection of when i lost the baby. the date didn't apply. i had to look it back out. the way i did that was with text messages to friends and family about the loss. i felt doing that was upsetting. i

would say, may be being with someone when you do it. i did it straight after coming up there in the office, actually. ifelt after coming up there in the office, actually. i felt while after coming up there in the office, actually. ifelt while it after coming up there in the office, actually. i felt while it is still with me, i will do it. i asked my husband for his permission, because he is also on it and i want him there and did not want him to be surprised. permission to use his name, i mean. iwanted him to be part of it. as a family, it is important now we have it that it is part of our story. it is important now we have it that it is part of our story-— part of our story. it is the situation _ part of our story. it is the situation in _ part of our story. it is the situation in england, - part of our story. it is the - situation in england, differing i think across the uk. just explain in terms of people not living in england. terms of people not living in en . land. ., terms of people not living in encland. ., ., ., ., england. there are books of memorial elsewhere. people _ england. there are books of memorial elsewhere. people can _ england. there are books of memorial elsewhere. people can look— england. there are books of memorial elsewhere. people can look up - elsewhere. people can look up specifics. i do not want to give the wrong take. this has been a long campaign by those with knowledge of theirs and baby loss. i think it shows by people working in the government, it shows the power of

the government can do with small but important gestures at times. i think there are lots of calls for this to mean exactly like this elsewhere in the uk. i mean exactly like this elsewhere in the uk. ., , mean exactly like this elsewhere in theuk. ., the uk. i really appreciate you comin: the uk. i really appreciate you coming in _ the uk. i really appreciate you coming in and _ the uk. i really appreciate you coming in and telling - the uk. i really appreciate you coming in and telling us - the uk. i really appreciate you coming in and telling us abouti the uk. i really appreciate you i coming in and telling us about it. thank you. wednesday is the un's international day of happiness. and to mark it, the annual global happiness rankings are out. topping the list of happiest countries yet again is finland. second happiest is denmark — followed by iceland, sweden and israel. the united states landed at 23rd happiest — eight spots lower than last year. the uk was ranked three spots ahead, at 20th happiest. the happiness report is a result of people in 143 countries evaluating their life on a scale of1 to 10 — with 10 representing the best possible life. at the other end of rankings are

lebanon, with afghanistan bottom. the index also highlighted a rise in unhappiness among younger people, which pushed the us and some large western european countries down the rankings. jan—emmanuel de neve, who is the editor of the world happiness report and also director of the wellbeing research centre at the university of oxford, has been speaking about the factors they look at and what they found. wealth is one thing but then there is also a healthy life expectancy, which is also very high in scandinavian countries, whereas in other wealthy countries, like the united states, life expectancy is actually going down for certain segments of the population. and then finally, something where the scandinavian countries really stand out, we find, is in terms of the social fabric, the social capital of their society. people trust each other, they trust institutions. there is social support available for them, both institutionally and personally. we find that is less the case in other societies. the main call for policy action from the world happiness report this

year is we need to do something about these dramatic drops in youth well—being in north america and western europe, and britain to an extent as well. always fascinating which country believes itself to be the happiest. stay with us here on bbc news. hello again. it has been a pretty cloudy and wet start to the day. through the course of the day, you will find some of us will hang on to the cloud and also some rain, but it will brighten up and will continue to do so through the afternoon on the north and west. —— from the north and west. it is also going to be mild. this is what we have got left of this morning's rain across parts of northern england, in towards the wash, the midlands, parts of wales and the south—west. to the north of that, brightening up with more sunshine developing. to the south, if we see more breaks

in the cloud and more sunshine coming through, we could actually reach 18 degrees today, higher than you would expect at this time of year. through this evening and overnight, the dregs of that weather front clear the south. clear skies following on behind and an early frost in the north, before the next batch of rain arrives with strengthening winds. 0ur overnight lows tonight, 4—8 degrees, north to south. we pick up that band of rain tomorrow as it sinks southwards but clearer skies ahead of it. still the dregs of the weather front in the south producing some cloud and it is going to be windy, especially so across the northern half of the country and especially the far north of scotland. temperatures tomorrow, 9—16 degrees, so still relatively mild, particularly so in the south. but then things start to change, as this cold front sinks south, taking rain with it. the wind changes direction and you can see from the squeeze on the isobars, it is going to be windy in the north, with gales across the north west. it will remain fairly cloudy for much of the day across southern counties, but we are looking

at a fair bit of sunshine but a lot of showers, especially in northern and western scotland and northern ireland, some of those heavy with hail, potentially thunder, and wintry on the hills. as we head into the weekend, look at the blue right the way across the country, indicating colder conditions coming our way until monday. the wind changing to more of a northerly. during the course of saturday, still a fair bit of dry weather around, some brightness and sunshine, but a lot of showers and significant wind chill. some of the showers will be wintry on the hills and at lower levels, once again, we are looking at a mixture of rain, some thunder and lightning, possibly even some sleet in the heavier downpours. into sunday, still some showers. the focus of those will be in the east.

how much has uk inflation eased? we will tell you, as consumer price figures for february are released. tens of thousands of polish farmers take to the streets. we'll hear what's bugging them.

welcome to world business report. inflation has eased in the uk, according to the latest official figures. it's fallen to 3.4%, down from 4% % the previous month. remember it means prices are still rising, but less quickly. inflation�*s been falling from a peak of 11.1% in october of 2022. and the bank of england pushed up interest rates steadily to help keep a lid on prices, reaching a peak of 5.25% last year. economists are now debating when the bank might see fit to bring those rates down slightly. economists are now debating when the bank might see fit to bring those rates down slightly. joining me now is steve nolan, an economist at liverpool john moores university. good to have you with us. talk to me first of all about what this fall in inflation tells us about how much money we may have in our pocket. in

money we may have in our pocket. in general it was kind of refreshingly boring report, no real shocks in it. the figure was close to what people projected. in general it is kind of pretty good news. prices are still rising but definitely rising at a lower rate. in terms of the pound in your pocket it is really good news in terms of food inflation which has been quite high figures for quite a long time. i think everyone recognises that. now we are seeing some real kind of easing off down to about 5%. still painful but not the nearly 20% we saw last year. some really positive news in things that bread and cereal. the growth in price there almost flat, that is down to percentage points. positive news, especially for people who are less well off where food takes a lot higher proportion of their budget. the concern will be that prices are

not coming down in many instances, just going down less quickly. people paying more than they did a year ago and that will eat into income and disposable income and that has a knock—on effect for the wider economy. it knock-on effect for the wider economy-— knock-on effect for the wider econom . ., , , ., ., economy. it does but one of the thins economy. it does but one of the things the _ economy. it does but one of the things the bank _ economy. it does but one of the things the bank of _ economy. it does but one of the things the bank of england - economy. it does but one of the things the bank of england willl economy. it does but one of the l things the bank of england will be thinking about at the moment is at this point we are seeing wage growth matching if not outpacing inflation. figures are very small, figures are about 6.1%. in real terms income against prices are going up. obviously that is an average figure, not true for everyone, not making the claim the cost of living crisis has gone completely. but this is definitely positive news overall. what we might see in responses the central bank saying we can cut inflation figures putting money into people's pockets. when they might do

it and how aggressive they may be in their rate cut. we it and how aggressive they may be in their rate cut.— their rate cut. we are definitely in a not so fast _ their rate cut. we are definitely in a not so fast moment _ their rate cut. we are definitely in a not so fast moment to - their rate cut. we are definitely in a not so fast moment to the - their rate cut. we are definitely in a not so fast moment to the bankj their rate cut. we are definitely in i a not so fast moment to the bank of england, it would be a shock if they start cutting prices yesterday. tomorrow. there is still pricing probability injune, with the bank of england will be concerned about certain figures like service inflation still quite high. about 6%. part of that will be about wages. so they will be a little bit concerned about easing off quickly. i think they will go fairly gradually. i think they will go fairly gradually-— i think they will go fairly araduall. ., ., ~ ., gradually. good to talk to you. thank you _ gradually. good to talk to you. thank you for— gradually. good to talk to you. thank you for your _ gradually. good to talk to you. thank you for your time. - the european union and member states are to cap duty free imports of some ukrainian grain after months of protests from european farmers. duty—free imports were brought in to support ukrainian agriculture in the wake of russia's full—scale invasion. but now oats, eggs poultry and sugar

will be subject to limits to prevent cheap imports affecting farmers in the eu. polish farmers have been particularly frustrated by imports from ukraine, with thousands expected to protest today, as adam easton reports from warsaw. an estimated 70,000 farmers are taking part in a nationwide protest against rising costs and from cheaper ukrainian agricultural imports. tractors are disrupting traffic in close to 600 locations across the country. it's the fourth such protest so far this year. the farmers have two key demands. they want an immediate suspension of agricultural imports from ukraine and russia. the farmers say — and the government pretty much agrees with them — that giving ukraine tariff—free access to the eu market has hurt smaller family—run polish farms, who simply cannot compete against big ukrainian business.

secondly, they want eu climate proposals, which they say will raise their farmers costs, thrown out. now, these protests enjoy considerable public support here and mindful of the fact we've got local elections next month, the government says the farmers' key demands are legitimate. the polish government will continue to call for greater military support for ukraine, but it insists that support must not come at the expense of polish farmers. later, global markets will be watching whether the us central bank continues to hold interest rates at between 5.25% and 5.5%. the federal reserve is contending with inflation that rose slightly to 3.2% in february. but how are borrowing costs affecting businesses in the world's largest economy? the bbc�*s michelle fleury sent this report. cutting back. americans seem to be spending less on the things they used to have to have,

like a visit to the hairdresser. it's putting a strain on small business owner diane da costa, who runs the simply beautiful salon in harlem. last quarter, it was very dismal. very, very dismal. i mean, it was the worst i've seen in a long, long time. just when she thought she would have to close her doors for good, business picked up. she's just hired two new stylists. it actually started picking up the week after new year's. and i do believe, you know, the talk of interest rates going down and inflation going down and then just everyone wanting to get back out there. so, after the federal reserve's aggressive campaign to tame inflation, many are now eagerly awaiting the fed's first rate cut to keep the economy humming. including on the campaign trail. the fed is eyeing multiple interest rate cuts this year. those moves could boost the economy in the run up to november's presidential election.

but with the cost of services spiking, jerome powell and his fellow policymakers are likely to keep rates unchanged for a fifth straight time. they want more evidence that inflation is returning to their 2% target. the risk is that the economy's current strength won't last. the us economy is strong. inflation is coming back down towards the fed's 2% target, but the longer that they keep their foot pressed on the brake, the more likely something goes wrong. for small businesses preparing for what they hope will be another surge in demand, the fed's first cut can't come soon enough. in other news... the bakery chain greggs has been hit by an it problem, forcing some stores to shut or go cash only. it follows card payment outages at the supermarkets sainsbury�*s and tesco on saturday, and mcdonald's last friday. greggs says it is working to resolve the issue as soon as possible. the train maker alstom has warned that 3,000 jobs could be

at risk at its derby site in the english midlands due to a lack of new orders. speaking to the bbc, the company's managing director for the uk also warned that the impact on the supply chain would be considerable. the company has been in talks with the uk government for almost a year to find a solution to save the historic rail factory. sales at luxury brand gucci are expected to drop 20% in the first quarter of the year, according to its owner, luxury conglomerate kering. the drop is blamed on a much steeper decline than expected in the asia pacific region. the warning contrasts with rivals lvmh and hermes whose sales have remained resilient. train drivers at 16 rail companies are to stage a fresh wave of strikes and a six—day overtime ban in a long—running dispute over pay. that's according to their union aslef. that could threaten more travel chaos for passengers across the country.

increasing unhappiness among younger people has caused the united states and some western european countries to slip down a global wellbeing index. finland is at the top of the world happiness report for the seventh year in a row. here you can see a couple of other scandinavian nations, denmark and sweden, in the top five. but there are some diversions when you de—aggregate the data. lithuania, for example tops the list for children and young people. joining me now is miika makitalo, ceo of happyornot, a finnish business that sells devices to measure customer satisfaction on everything from toilet cleanliness to airport security. good to have you with this. why is finland so happy? {iii good to have you with this. why is finland so happy?— good to have you with this. why is finland so happy? of course we are ha . and finland so happy? of course we are happy and thrilled _ finland so happy? of course we are happy and thrilled about _ finland so happy? of course we are happy and thrilled about the - finland so happy? of course we are happy and thrilled about the fact i happy and thrilled about the fact

that finland is top of the list again. yet i have to say, we are more of a nation that sees the glass being half empty so we are somewhat puzzled with the result. we see that things are not always perfect here, but we are extremely happy about the result. and indeed what brings the question was what are the two main factors? one is trust, trust for the institutions, just for media and trust among citizens. i am not saying there is blind trust, there is a lot of critics and those elements but this also means there is less cycle went on the transactions whatsoever because there is trust. that is an important factor. also something i would like to highlight his wee worklife balance. we tend to be active and

precise at their work but work is limited to work hours and they love their free time. limited to work hours and they love theirfree time. meaning limited to work hours and they love their free time. meaning that they hope the things they are doing in the evenings and summer vacations or annual vacations being 4—6 weeks. people can spend time in nature, doing things they enjoy.- doing things they en'oy. briefly, that is how h doing things they en'oy. briefly, that is how you _ doing things they enjoy. briefly, that is how you make _ doing things they enjoy. briefly, that is how you make your- doing things they enjoy. briefly, i that is how you make your business work, isn't it? you have machines people can decide whether they have had good or bad service by hitting an appropriate button. that tells you quite a lot about how people around the world are thinking. definitely. that is something we are doing, we are helping turn the feedback into revenue. and doing that creating happier employees and customers. something we have customers. something we have customers using the disillusionment voice, the engagement and trust is

also an important factor. goad voice, the engagement and trust is also an important factor.— also an important factor. good to talk to you. _ also an important factor. good to talk to you. stay _ also an important factor. good to talk to you, stay happy. - also an important factor. good to talk to you, stay happy. that i also an important factor. good to talk to you, stay happy. that is i talk to you, stay happy. that is your business this hour. more on the website.

hello from the bbc sport centre. a spanish court has ruled that the former barcelona and brazil footballer dani alves can be conditionally released from jail on a 1 million euro bail pending an appeal against his conviction for rape. he has served about a quarter of his [ls—year sentence. alves has been detained since january last year, after being charged with raping a woman in a barcelona nightclub in december 2022. he was found guilty of the offence at trial last month. his bail conditions include relinquishing both his brazilian and spanish passports so he cannot leave the country and to appear before the court on a weekly basis.

the former world number one caroline wozniacki says simona halep shouldn't have been given a wild card into the miami open after her doping ban and needs to work her way up from the bottom again. this was halep's first tournament since having a four—year doping ban, that started in october 2022, reduced to nine months on appeal, that made her eligible to play again straightaway. she won the first set of her match against spain's paula badosa but lost in three. halep, a two—time major champion, blamed contaminated supplements for her positive test for a blood boosting drug and earlier this month the court of arbitration for sport accepted that she had unwittingly doped and freed her to play again. wozniacki, who won herfirst round match, was clearly unhappy with halep's participation. she's said, "this is not directly at simona,

but if someone purposely cheats, if someone has tested positive for doping, i don't think people should be awarded wildcards afterwards." she got her suspension reduced. it wasn't a clearance, it was a reduced sentence, halep was quite taken aback by the dane's comments. why she said that? in the press conference. _ why she said that? in the press conference. yes, _ why she said that? in the press conference. yes, but _ why she said that? in the press conference. yes, but why? i. why she said that? in the press i conference. yes, but why? i didn't do anything _ conference. yes, but why? i didn't do anything wrong. _ conference. yes, but why? i didn't do anything wrong, i _ conference. yes, but why? i didn't do anything wrong, i didn't - conference. yes, but why? i didn't do anything wrong, i didn't cheat, | conference. yes, but why? i didn't| do anything wrong, i didn't cheat, i didn't dope, it is better if we read the decision that it was at contaminated supplement, not doping, and i never had something to do with doping. so i am not a tutor. —— cheater. in the men's draw, kei nishikori is set to make his return

after eight months out with a series on injuries. the 2014 us open finalist has been given a wild card for the tournament after last playing a competitive match at the atlanta open lastjuly. he plays top 50 player sebastian ofner in the first round. the japanese player reached a career high lath in the world rankings, and his time away from court has been tough. it was not easy. it took a lot of lime _ it was not easy. it took a lot of time to— it was not easy. it took a lot of time to get— it was not easy. it took a lot of time to get healed. my knee was hurting _ time to get healed. my knee was hurting for a long time and a couple of things— hurting for a long time and a couple of things happened, having that half—time is going to help mentally. ithink_ half—time is going to help mentally. i think i_ half—time is going to help mentally. i think i can — half—time is going to help mentally. i think i can enjoy a little more every— i think i can enjoy a little more every match but that is something i have to _ every match but that is something i have to keep in mind to myself. i have _ have to keep in mind to myself. i have got— have to keep in mind to myself. i have got to — have to keep in mind to myself. i have got to enjoy every moment. to the nba, where reigning mvp nikola jokic scored 35 points and grabbed 16 rebounds as the denver nuggets overcame the minnesota timberwolves to close in on top spot in the western conference. meanwhile, in the eastern conference, the orlando magic ensured post—season basketball for the first time in four years by comfortably beating the charlotte hornets.

the magic impressed at both ends of the court in the first half, ending the opening two quarters with a lead of 35 points. orlando currently sit fifth in the eastern standings and have won 12 of their last 15 games, a run which has guaranteed themselves at least a place in the post—season play—in tournament. we've had the draw for the men's and women's basketball tournaments at the paris olympics. the usa are reigning champions in both. the men's team have won the last four and are in a group with 2016 runners up serbia. three—time olympic champion carmelo anthony, who was one of the hosts for the draw in switzerland, says the us will have to be at their best. this team is strong, canada is strong, — this team is strong, canada is strong, serbia _ this team is strong, canada is strong, serbia is _ this team is strong, canada is strong, serbia is strong, i this team is strong, canada is i strong, serbia is strong, especially with their_ strong, serbia is strong, especially with their full _ strong, serbia is strong, especially with their full team, _ strong, serbia is strong, especially with their full team, they - strong, serbia is strong, especially with their full team, they come i with their full team, they come prepared — with their full team, they come prepared. of_ with their full team, they come prepared. of course _ with their full team, they come

prepared. of course the - with their full team, they come prepared. of course the us- with their full team, they come prepared. of course the us is. with their full team, they come i prepared. of course the us is at the end of— prepared. of course the us is at the end of the _ prepared. of course the us is at the end of the day— prepared. of course the us is at the end of the day but _ prepared. of course the us is at the end of the day but france, - prepared. of course the us is at the end of the day but france, they- prepared. of course the us is at the end of the day but france, they arei end of the day but france, they are at home, _ end of the day but france, they are at home, they— end of the day but france, they are at home, they have _ end of the day but france, they are at home, they have really, - end of the day but france, they are at home, they have really, really. at home, they have really, really good _ at home, they have really, really good players. _ at home, they have really, really good players. they— at home, they have really, really good players, they have - at home, they have really, really good players, they have got i at home, they have really, really good players, they have got the i at home, they have really, really- good players, they have got the home court advantage _ staying with olympic�*s the reigning golf champion xander schauffele says he would love to defend his gold medal. he would qualify as it stands but still needs to be one of the top four americans in the world rankings after the us open in mid—june. anytime you can represent your country is pretty unique for me, personally it was more unique with my dad's history, wanting to be an olympian. personally it more special. and anytime you can put on the red, white and blue for me is an awesome experience, in the olympics or anything. awesome experience, in the olympics oranything. definitely awesome experience, in the olympics or anything. definitely get up for those events.—

those events. xander schauffele mentioning _ those events. xander schauffele mentioning his _ those events. xander schauffele mentioning his dad _ those events. xander schauffele mentioning his dad his - those events. xander schauffele mentioning his dad his coach i those events. xander schauffele| mentioning his dad his coach but wanted to be a decathlete and was very close to achieving that at the olympics with germany, had at nasty car crash but is now a very good golf coach. plenty more on the bbc sport website. that is all for now.

you are watching bbc news. breaking news this hour from you are watching bbc news. breaking news this hourfrom ireland, the republic of ireland, it is being reported that the taoiseach leo varadkar is going to stand down as taoiseach and then a gal leader and we're expecting him to make a statement at this podium in dublin, thatis statement at this podium in dublin, that is the courtyard of the government buildings in dublin and you can see a podium with microphones set up. we expect that statement at 12pm, five minutes from now. we don't have any information as yet as to why, as far as we noted not expected, it is being reported in the irish press and independent and expecting as i said in an

announcement in five minutes' time. the cabinet met today after reports of frantic meetings and public buildings today. it has been st patrick's day with a break from ministerial duties. we did not hear anything from that point, but leo varadkar expected to stand down. this is his second term as taoiseach in ireland but we were not expecting a break as we are seeing now. it's being reported he will stay on pending at new leader of fine gael and everyone will want to know why this announcement and critically will replace him. several names potentially in the fray as to who

could take over. leo varadkar came to prominence many years ago in his first term, he has served initially in the mid—20 20s, he was known initially as being in a new mould as it were and he was very prominent of course in the brexit negotiations when those talks were going on with the uk and european nations. leo varadkar apparently going to stand down and will make an announcement in about three minutes' time. we understand that this podium. stepping down as leader of his party and has taoiseach and he was initially a medic, we know he trained as a doctor. he was born in dublin and is of indian heritage, in

part and he was a young leader when he first came to prominence and was seen as a good communicator, he had a lot of political attention during the brexit negotiations. those very fraught negotiations between the uk and ireland. there have been reports of frenetic activity this morning, not clear what has prompted this exactly. wider indications of something happening with that announcement due in the next couple of minutes. leo varadkar expected to be standing down as taoiseach with an announcement made and planned photocall here with these microphones set up in the courtyard of the government building there. we know that was a holiday last week with st patrick's day and government ministers were back. we know that

leo varadkar faced speculation after two referendums in recent times. it is being reported that sources don't expect an initial general election within this announcement. we are expecting to hear from within this announcement. we are expecting to hearfrom leo within this announcement. we are expecting to hear from leo varadkar imminently in the next minute or so with an explanation as to why he has suddenly decided to stand down. ministers were alerted after a cabinet meeting earlier in the last few hours after the defeat of one of those referendums. leo varadkar still a very young leader. in his second term in this job.

still a very young leader. in his second term in thisjob. and people will now be looking to see which names come to the a0 take this position. we are expecting an announcement in the next few moments and we will bring you that live as soon as we get it. if there is any indication of movement we will be bringing that to you immediately. leo varadkar expected to stand down as taoiseach in the republic of ireland. you are watching pictures from dublin, where we are expecting irish prime minister leo varadkar to resign in the next couple of minutes. we will keep an eye on those pictures. of course, we still have prime minister's questions. let's take you to the scene in the house of commons as well where we are expecting prime minister's questions in the next couple of minutes. rishi sunak will be taking

questions from labour leader sir keir starmer and other mps. biggest this morning showed inflation fell to a.3% in february, a slightly bigger drop than economists predicted and the lowest in two years. it will be their first prime ministers question since rishi sunak will doubt having a general election. , ., ., election. this morning i had meetings — election. this morning i had meetings with _ election. this morning i had meetings with ministerial i election. this morning i had - meetings with ministerial colleagues and others in addition to my duties in the house. further such meetings later today. the in the house. further such meetings later toda . , ., , in the house. further such meetings later today-— later today. the people in clacton have had a _ later today. the people in clacton have had a tough _ later today. the people in clacton have had a tough time _ later today. the people in clacton have had a tough time with i later today. the people in clacton have had a tough time with the i later today. the people in clacton l have had a tough time with the cost of living. everything i can. iam doing everything i planned to support them. with that in mind when does he agree with me, my right honourable friend may agree with me that cutting inflation is the very best way to do that? they statistics today are very welcome. can he

reassure my constituents he will continue to work hard to get inflation as low as possible to protect savings can all the bills and give them the financial security they deserve?— and give them the financial security the deserve? , ., , , ., ., they deserve? death figures show our ilan is they deserve? death figures show our plan is working- _ they deserve? death figures show our plan is working. inflation _ they deserve? death figures show our plan is working. inflation has - plan is working. inflation has fallen to 3.a%, and 11% down, down by 70% and at their lowest level since september 2021. pay packets are going further with wages growing for eight months in a row and taxes being cut by £900 for the average worker. that is why we need to stick to the plan of delivering a brighter future for the country. and to the plan of delivering a brighter future for the country.— future for the country. and i thank the prime minister _ future for the country. and i thank the prime minister for _ future for the country. and i thank the prime minister for his - future for the country. and i thank the prime minister for his words i future for the country. and i thankj the prime minister for his words in the prime ministerfor his words in welcoming vaughan gething to his post as first minister of wales? it

is an historic moment that speaks to the progress and values of modern day wales. i also paid tribute to mark drakeford for his long and steady service in wales. mr speaker, violent prisoners released early because the tories wrecked the criminaljustice because the tories wrecked the criminal justice system. because the tories wrecked the criminaljustice system. 3500 small boat arrivals already this year because tories lost control of the borders. the nhs struggling to see people. millions pay more on mortgages. a budget that hit pensioners. £8a6 million hole in his arms. why is the prime minister so scared to call an election?! mr speaker. _ scared to call an election?! mr speaker. as — scared to call an election?! iii speaker, as i said scared to call an election?! m speaker, as i said injanuary, my working assumption is that the election will be in the second half of the year. i thought out of everybody he would actually be most grateful because he has now got time

to come up with a plan for britain. we are all looking forward to finally seeing it. we we are all looking forward to finally seeing it.— we are all looking forward to finally seeing it. we are ready. just call it. _ finally seeing it. we are ready. just call it, just _ finally seeing it. we are ready. just call it, just call _ finally seeing it. we are ready. just call it, just call it. - finally seeing it. we are ready. just call it, just call it. mr- just call it, just call it. mr speaker, he talks about... let's take his rwanda policy. when it was first announced it was claimed at would settle tens of thousands of people and then it was whittled down to 300. four times that number have already arrived this month and the backlog stands at 130,000. can the prime minister see any flaw in his plan to deport less than 1% of that backlog? mr plan to deport less than 1% of that backlo. ? ~ ,,, ., ,, plan to deport less than 1% of that backloi? ~ , . backlog? mr speaker, since i became prime minister, _ backlog? mr speaker, since i became prime minister, their _ backlog? mr speaker, since i became prime minister, their number- backlog? mr speaker, since i became prime minister, their number a i backlog? mr speaker, since i became prime minister, their number a smallj prime minister, their number a small boat crossings are actually down by over a third, mr speaker. that is

because we have doubled national crime agency funding, rates by 70% and closed 7500 bank accounts, deported 20 phil thousand illegal migrants and processed over 112,000 cases, more than at any point in the last two decades. it is crystal clear as we are seeing from the labour party, while we are committed to stopping the boats, the labour party would keep them coming. the traied is party would keep them coming. the tragedy is that we know the prime minister doesn't even believe in a rwanda gimmick. he tried to stop funding it. he is now so diminished that his entire focus is stopping his mp is holding the sword of damocles above his head. his great hope is to present his party with a

couple of empty planes were praying they will not notice when costs keep mounting. how has he managed to spend £600 million of taxpayer money on gimmick to deport 300 people? mr on gimmick to deport 300 people? m speaker, it is crystal clear, not only does the labour party not have a plan to fix this issue but the truth is they do not actually care about fixing this issue. he talks about fixing this issue. he talks about the gangs. when we gave police new powers to crack down on people smuggling gangs, he spent months campaigning and voting against it. thanks to our new laws, 900 criminals have been arrested. a50 had been convicted, serving over 370 years behind bars. if it were up to him, those criminals would still be out on our streets. the truth is,

the truth is, if he were not labour leader, he would still want to be their lawyer. i leader, he would still want to be their lawyer-— their lawyer. i prosecuted more people- -- _ their lawyer. i prosecuted more people... than _ their lawyer. i prosecuted more people... than he _ their lawyer. i prosecuted more people... than he has - their lawyer. i prosecuted more people... than he has had i their lawyer. i prosecuted more i people... than he has had helicopter rides. and that is a lart. i have done it. they rwanda gimmick is going to cost the taxpayer to million pounds for every one of his 300 people they deport. i know the prime minister likes to spend a lot onjet setting but prime minister likes to spend a lot on jet setting but some plane ticket. it is the cost of tory chaos and working people are paying the price. the man he made immigration minister let the cat out of the bag when he said the prime minister's symbolic flights will not provide a credible deterrent. we know the prime minister himself thought it

would not work. if people selling this gimmick do not believe it, why should the country? mr this gimmick do not believe it, why should the country?— this gimmick do not believe it, why should the country? mr speaker, he is very keen — should the country? mr speaker, he is very keen to _ should the country? mr speaker, he is very keen to talk— should the country? mr speaker, he is very keen to talk about _ should the country? mr speaker, he is very keen to talk about who i should the country? mr speaker, he is very keen to talk about who he i is very keen to talk about who he prosecuted and less keen to talk about when he defended... when it comes to this question of how to deal with people who are here illegally, his values are simply not those of the british people. after all, this is the person who campaigned to stop the deportation of foreign, dangerous criminals, mr speaker. a dangerous criminal was jailed for dealing class a drugs after he fought to keep him here. a gang master was convicted of carrying a knife after he fought to keep him here. whether representing terrorist or campaigning for criminals, it is clear whose side he —— is on and it is not the british

people. -- is on and it is not the british --eole. , , .,, people. genuinely sad to see him ad'ust to people. genuinely sad to see him adjust to this _ people. genuinely sad to see him adjust to this nonsense. - people. genuinely sad to see him adjust to this nonsense. let's i people. genuinely sad to see him | adjust to this nonsense. let's take another example. —— reduced to this nonsense. after 1a years of tory chaos in the prison system, the justice secretary was reduced to begging the prime minister either to send offenders to prison or release them even earlier. i have sympathy for anyone trying to get an answer out of the prime minister. what is it going to be? here criminals behind bars in the first place or more released early on to our streets? —— fewer criminals. more released early on to our streets? -- fewer criminals. thanks to alice, violent _ streets? -- fewer criminals. thanks to alice, violent crime _ streets? -- fewer criminals. thanks to alice, violent crime has - streets? -- fewer criminals. thanks to alice, violent crime has fallen i to alice, violent crime has fallen by 50%. we have recruited more police officers, given them more powers and kept serious offenders in prison longer. what is his record? he voted against greater protection

for emergency workers, opposed tougher sentences and failed to give police the powers they need. it would be back to square one with labour, soft on crime and soft on criminals. ., .., labour, soft on crime and soft on criminals-— labour, soft on crime and soft on criminals. ., , , ., , criminals. you can see why he does not want an — criminals. you can see why he does not want an election _ criminals. you can see why he does not want an election why _ criminals. you can see why he does not want an election why his - criminals. you can see why he does not want an election why his party i not want an election why his party has lost faith in him, why have his cabinet are lining up to replace him. no answers, no plan, no clue. the prime minister has never had the courage to stand up to his party. let me help him out and say to them what he wishes he could. the mortgage may hamper that waiting lists, criminals walking free, they are the costs of tory chaos. if they cannot bring themselves to stop the endless games and gimmicks, can i stop putting themselves before country, they should pack up, go home and away somebody else's time. it was not that difficult, was it, prime minister? mr

it was not that difficult, was it, prime minister?— it was not that difficult, was it, i prime minister?_ prime prime minister? mr speaker... prime minister. prime minister? mr speaker... prime minister- he — prime minister? mr speaker... prime minister. he talks _ prime minister? mr speaker... prime minister. he talks about _ prime minister? mr speaker... prime minister. he talks about his - prime minister? mr speaker... prime minister. he talks about his ideas. i minister. he talks about his ideas. we had to weeks _ minister. he talks about his ideas. we had to weeks on _ minister. he talks about his ideas. we had to weeks on from - minister. he talks about his ideas. we had to weeks on from the - we had to weeks on from the government. the shadow chancellor found time to make a one—hour speech and we still do not know how they are going to pay for their black hole. while he tries to talk down britain and the progress we are baking, today's news shows a plan is working, inflation down, energy bills stands, wages, pensions up and taxes cut by £900. that is their choice. highertaxes taxes cut by £900. that is their choice. higher taxes and back to square one with labour or tax cuts and real change with the conservatives. mr and real change with the conservatives. ~ .,~ conservatives. mr speaker, the uk rate is falling _ conservatives. mr speaker, the uk rate is falling while _ conservatives. mr speaker, the uk rate is falling while those - conservatives. mr speaker, the uk rate is falling while those finding i rate is falling while those finding

fertility treatment is rising. there is no paid time off work for those seeking fertility treatment. with the prime ministerjoined me in encouraging employers across the united kingdom to sign up to the fertility workplace pledge, which i have launched? to support those undertaking fertility when they are in work. i undertaking fertility when they are in work. , . , undertaking fertility when they are in work. , ., _ i, ~ , in work. i start by thanking my honourable — in work. i start by thanking my honourable friend _ in work. i start by thanking my honourable friend for - in work. i start by thanking my honourable friend for her - in work. i start by thanking my - honourable friend for her excellent work campaigning on this issue? employers should offer staff and understanding, support and flexibility while undergoing fertility treatment. the best way to improve the experience of those undergoing treatment is through voluntary approaches. i would join her in encouraging all companies to sign up today workplace pledge. iwith sign up today workplace pledge. with backbenchers looking for a unity

candidate to replace him, which other than now numerous born—again thatcherites on the labour party front bench, does he believe fit the bill? mr front bench, does he believe fit the bill? ~ ,,, ., ~ it was surprising to hear all this talk about the 19705 from the shadow chancellor in particular. if you see what is happening in places like birmingham, where taxes are going up by 21% services are being cut, like social care or children's services, in some streets quite literally nights are being turned off. my neck when we are going to lay prime minister's questions to hear from leo varadkar in dublin. == minister's questions to hear from leo varadkar in dublin.— minister's questions to hear from leo varadkar in dublin. -- to leave.

thank you — leo varadkar in dublin. -- to leave. thank you for— leo varadkar in dublin. -- to leave. thank you for coming. _ leo varadkar in dublin. -- to leave. thank you for coming. i _ leo varadkar in dublin. -- to leave. thank you for coming. i have - leo varadkar in dublin. -- to leave. thank you for coming. i have had i leo varadkar in dublin. -- to leave. | thank you for coming. i have had the privilege to serve as a public representative, seven years as leader of my party and most of those as temper macro of this great country. it has been the most fulfilling time of my life. —— has taoiseach. i have had the honour of leading my country from unemployment to full employment, from budget deficit to surplus, from austerity to prosperity, through a pandemic and three brexit when we prevented a hard border between north and south and protected our place in europe. i am proud to have made the country are more equal a more modern place when it comes to the rights of children, the lgbt community and children. more recently we have led the country through an inflation cost of living crisis, there worst of which is now, thankfully, behind us. we had made significant steps between affordable childcare and

health care, making both more affordable for people. we have made white pay better with the implementation of a national living wage, statutory sick pay, lower personal taxes, improved family leave allowing parents to spend your time are children in those crucial early years. i am happy during my time as taoiseach we could honour our commitment to double spending on the arts and culture sectors. it will assist artists and sports men and women in the future. we provided leadership by increasing spending on international development committee expanded our diplomatic footprint around the world, building on island's already significant role. we want to bring fibre —based internet connections to every school, business and farm and community in ireland which critics say should not be done. since 2011

we have quadrupled overall investment of public infrastructure, meaning more investment in pieties like housing, health care facilities, school buildings and climate action. i am deeply proud we, as irish people, welcomed over 100,000 ukrainian refugees to our shores when they needed our protection, not withstanding the challenges this brings. in my time as taoiseach we reduced poverty and inequality. 500 people becoming home each week for the first time, the highest number in almost two decades. there are areas in which we have been much less successful and some in which we have sadly gone backwards. i hope he will forgive me if i leave it to others to point them out on a day like this. they will receive plenty of time. when i became taoiseach and i knew one part

of leadership is knowing when the time has come to pass on the baton to someone else and having the courage to do it. that time is now. i am resigning as president and leader of fine gael effective from today and will resign as temper my question my successor is able to take up of this. —— as taoiseach. i know this will come as a surprise to many people and a disappointment to some. i hope at least you will understand my decision. i know others well, how shall i put it? cope with the needs just fine. that is a great thing about living in a democracy. there is never the right time to resign in high office. this is as good a time as ever. the

negotiations of the good friday agreement is working again. the trading arrangements are settled and stable. they knew taoiseach will have a 15 months to prepare for the european elections and the next general election. my reasons for stepping down our personal and political. i believe this government can be re—elected on my party, fine gael can be re—elected on my party, fine gael, can gain seats. notable i believe the real action of this three party government will be the right thing for the future of our country, continuing to take us forward, protecting all that has been achieved and building on it. after careful consideration and some soul—searching, i believe a new taoiseach and a new leader will be better placed than me to achieve that. to renew and strengthen the team, focused message and policies

to drive implementation. after seven years in office i do not feel i am the best person to do that any more. there are colleagues and friends contesting local elections and i want to give them the best chance possible. i think they have a better chance under a new leader. i am standing aside any absolute confidence in the country and economy are in a good place and my colleagues in government from all three parties will continue to work hard for the best interests of the nation. 0n hard for the best interests of the nation. on a personal level, i have enjoyed being taoiseach, leader and a member of the cabinet since march 2011. i have learned so much about so many things, met so many people i have never got to meet, been to places i have never been both home and abroad and i am deeply grateful for it. despite the challenges, i would wholeheartedly recommend a career in politics for anyone considering it. however, politicians

are human beings and have limitations. we give it everything until we cannot any more and then we had to move on. i will of course continue to fulfil my duties as taoiseach until anyone is elected and will continue to remain as constituency mp for dublin west. i know there will be speculation as to the real reason for my decision, these are the real reasons. that is it. i have nothing else lined up, nothing in mind that no definite or personal political plans. i'm really looking for the two having the time to think about them. i would like to take this opportunity to thank my party, my colleagues and partners my constituents, colleagues and staff for their loyalty and their phenomenal work and i'm going to thank them all in person in the near future. most of all, i want 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. thank you very much. applause applause for leo varadkar, as he became emotional at the end of that statement, confirming he will step down as taoiseach and leader of his party in ireland. he said he had both personal and political reasons. in down but believed his three party coalition government could be re—elected. he felt the right thing today was for them to find a new party leader. he acknowledged there would be a lot of speculation as to the real reasons for his resignation, as he put it. he said this is it. he said politicians are human beings, we have our limitations and he felt that after seven years as party leader, that

this was the time and that he of course started by listing his achievements as he saw it on unemployment, steering the country through the pandemic and of course brexit, saying the country now was in a more stable position on trade with the uk and the eu. a5 in a more stable position on trade with the uk and the eu. as the journalist who broke this story described, it is a political earthquake. what do you make of that statement? how big a deal is there? as you said, it is a political earthquake. no one saw it coming, not least his cabinet colleagues. i understand his announcement came as a surprise to many around the table this morning. he outlined in his speech outside government buildings his reasons, pointing to both

personal and political reasons. in down. let me be very clear, his resignation as party leader of fine gael does not affect the constitutionality of the irish government. he will remain in post as he signalled, as prime minister, as he signalled, as prime minister, as taoiseach, until anyone is elected. he missed the thing, it does increase the pressure on the irish government in terms of the calls for a next general election, which has to be held before spring time next year. leo varadkar, in his statement, pointed to the personal reasons, seeing himself as he described a come as no longer the person he saw fit to lead the party, to lead his party into the next general election. leo varadkar in office will be his legacy, many will point to... he described himself in

his speech in terms of his handling of brexit, the handling of the economy. there are many issues within the irish economy, not least a generation, a young generation, who, as they see it, are locked out of housing. the announcement today in dublin certainly comes as a big political shock. in dublin certainly comes as a big politicalshock. leo in dublin certainly comes as a big political shock. leo varadkar, remember, was ireland's first openly gay prime minister, also half indian. he grew up in an island where divorce and homosexuality was illegal. for many on both sides of the irish border, he would be seen as the embodiment of the change within irish society. certainly, his announcement this morning he was to resign as leader of his party and effectively make way for a new prime

minister, a new taoiseach, has come as a massive, massive shock. he said he had no particular— as a massive, massive shock. he said he had no particular plans _ as a massive, massive shock. he said he had no particular plans on - as a massive, massive shock. he said he had no particular plans on a - he had no particular plans on a personal basis as yet on what comes next. it has been turbulent with these two referendums on changes, plans to the constitution, which the government lost. it is seen as an understandable reason for this announcement? i understandable reason for this announcement?— understandable reason for this announcement? i would think in government _ announcement? i would think in government circles _ announcement? i would think in government circles and - announcement? i would think in government circles and political| government circles and political circles in dublin there is not a straight line between the irish government's loss of the recent referendum on a woman's place in the home and care and today's shock announcement. leo varadkar previously signalled it was his intention to retire from politics before he reached the age of 50. today he is five years ahead of that

goal, stepping down as leader of his party at 45 years old. it certainly gives his party and the government, and some might see it, a clear run in terms of building up their election message ahead of the next irish general election. certainly, outside dublin parliament buildings, this red and sounded like a party political statement. this red and sounded like a party politicalstatement. he this red and sounded like a party political statement. he was talking about full employment, the irish economy, his handling of brexit. he is setting the scene, if you like, for the next leader of fine gael to come in and bed in full time, possibly, therefore the irish general election is announced. certainly in political terms, there is blood in the water because it increases the pressure to call a general election. a5

increases the pressure to call a general election. as some would see it. ., ~ general election. as some would see it. . ~ , ., , . general election. as some would see it. thank you very much for 'oining us. i am it. thank you very much for 'oining lamjoinedfi it. thank you very much for 'oining us. i amjoined by�* it. thank you very much for 'oining us. i amjoined by political_ it. thank you very much forjoining us. i amjoined by political editor. us. i am joined by political editor at the irish times. your reaction to this announcement? it is at the irish times. your reaction to this announcement?— this announcement? it is a bit of a shock. this announcement? it is a bit of a shock- no — this announcement? it is a bit of a shock- no one _ this announcement? it is a bit of a shock. no one saw— this announcement? it is a bit of a shock. no one saw it _ this announcement? it is a bit of a shock. no one saw it coming. - this announcement? it is a bit of a shock. no one saw it coming. i - this announcement? it is a bit of a l shock. no one saw it coming. i think when the dust settles, people will see it as, the taoiseach mentioned it in his announcement, it was just concluded that government buildings, he is doing it for personal and political reasons. he has been a full—time politician almost all of his adult life, he has been taoiseach since 2017. i suppose he is at a stage in his life by the mid—405, where he is looking at his options. his conclusion was clearly that not only did he not want to spend the next five to ten years in politics but the political currents were said he could see an advantage

for his party if he departed now. that is very much the framing he was giving this decision when he spoke at government buildings just now, he was doing this to give his party a better chance of returning to government after the next election. is that is the reason, we take care as face value. there will be speculation about the real reasons. it is now a logical time? he talked about the change of leader and giving them enough time to build momentum. giving them enough time to build momentum-— giving them enough time to build momentum. , ., ., ., ., ., momentum. yes, and now. you had to think, if momentum. yes, and now. you had to think. if his — momentum. yes, and now. you had to think. if his plan _ momentum. yes, and now. you had to think, if his plan to _ momentum. yes, and now. you had to think, if his plan to mark— momentum. yes, and now. you had to think, if his plan to mark his _ think, if his plan to mark his plan... i do not believe it was, was to go before the general election, his party, fine gael, might have been better to change leader before the switch in the taoiseach's office

in 2022. this is a three party coalition here between two big centre right party is on to smaller green party. a5 centre right party is on to smaller green party. as part of the deal put together in 2020, the leader of foil... time is relatively sure until the next general election. it must take place within a year. it can go one more year at the very latest. there have been a lot of speculation there might have been an early election, particularly where the lot of very important speculation suggesting it could take place in the autumn. i guess all bets are off. after there is a new taoiseach in place, a new leader of fine gael, which will take place over the coming weeks, he or she would had to make a long—term decision. {lin

would had to make a long-term decision. ., ., , ., , decision. on social media, people already saying _ decision. on social media, people already saying there _ decision. on social media, people already saying there needs - decision. on social media, people already saying there needs to - decision. on social media, people already saying there needs to be l decision. on social media, people| already saying there needs to be a general election now. was there any talk of this in political circles happening at all? i know so far the indication is it is a complete surprise. was there any whispers that this could happen? i will surprise. was there any whispers that this could happen?— that this could happen? i will be frank with you, _ that this could happen? i will be frank with you, if _ that this could happen? i will be frank with you, if there - that this could happen? i will be frank with you, if there where i l that this could happen? i will be i frank with you, if there where i did not hear them. when rumours began to swell around the government buildings this morning, that a major departure from government was on the cards, the speculation tended to focus on other members of the government rather than on leo varadkar. it is very unusual for a taoiseach, prime minister, to stand down of his own accord. many will ask what the real business behind this. for now we can only take at face value what they taoiseach said, he is still us about political and personal reasons. looking in from

the outside on both of those aspects of his life, you can see where he is coming from. of his life, you can see where he is coming from-— coming from. what level of public su- ort coming from. what level of public support does _ coming from. what level of public support does he _ coming from. what level of public support does he have? _ his party are not doing well, i little below 20% and his personal ratings have suffered as well and there was a sense, he is the least popular of the big party leaders, though not by a massive margin or anything like that. i think there has been at growing sense in his party, fine gael that the hoped for resurgence in their political misfortunes they certainly hope for when leo varadkar took over half way through this government, thatjust hasn't manifested itself and there hasn't manifested itself and there has been a fear that the party that some of its ministers, that the party was drifting and that sort of

sense of aimlessness and drift is perhaps why we are seeing this now. he says the party needs to renew and strengthen and after seven years he does not feel he is the person to do that. he sounded emotional, what did you make of the manner in which he listed his achievements to start with? , ., ., , .,, with? there is no doubt he was emotional. _ with? there is no doubt he was emotional, the _ with? there is no doubt he was emotional, the fine _ with? there is no doubt he was emotional, the fine gael - with? there is no doubt he was - emotional, the fine gael ministers standing around him looked quite shocked, some looked quite upset at the news and we often forget but politicians are human to... just to interru -t politicians are human to... just to interrupt you. _ politicians are human to... just to interrupt you, micheal _ politicians are human to... just to interrupt you, micheal martin - politicians are human to... just to interrupt you, micheal martin is l politicians are human to... just to i interrupt you, micheal martin is now speaking, let's listen in. in relation to his plans. to be honest i was _

relation to his plans. to be honest i was surprised obviously when i heard _ i was surprised obviously when i heard what he was going to do, i want _ heard what he was going to do, i want to— heard what he was going to do, i want to take the opportunity to thank_ want to take the opportunity to thank them sincerely, we had a strong — thank them sincerely, we had a strong personal relationship, the three _ strong personal relationship, the three leaders had which i think was important — three leaders had which i think was important in terms of the continuity and stability of the government. i want _ and stability of the government. i want to— and stability of the government. i want to take this opportunity again to wish_ want to take this opportunity again to wish leo the very best in his personal— to wish leo the very best in his personal life and his career into the future _ personal life and his career into the future. from my perspective, this is_ the future. from my perspective, this is a _ the future. from my perspective, this is a coalition of three parties. _ this is a coalition of three parties, not personalities. i remain committed — parties, not personalities. i remain committed to the continuation of government, to the fulfilment of our mandate _ government, to the fulfilment of our mandate and the implementation. there _ mandate and the implementation. there are — mandate and the implementation. there are still very serious issues to he _ there are still very serious issues to be dealt— there are still very serious issues to be dealt with, housing, education, health, climate, and

today— education, health, climate, and today for— education, health, climate, and today for example the future fund legislation went through cabinet along _ legislation went through cabinet along with the infrastructure and climate — along with the infrastructure and climate legislation. from my perspective on my part it was my perspective on my part it was my perspective we are going to fulfil our mandate with the newly elected leader— our mandate with the newly elected leader of— our mandate with the newly elected leader of the fine gael party. my view_ leader of the fine gael party. my view is _ leader of the fine gael party. my view is the — leader of the fine gael party. my view is the government should go full term — view is the government should go full term and that remains my position— full term and that remains my position as of today, a lot of work to he _ position as of today, a lot of work to he done — position as of today, a lot of work to be done and we will focus on getting — to be done and we will focus on getting that work done. does your coalition have _ getting that work done. does your coalition have credibility? - getting that work done. does your coalition have credibility? does i getting that work done. does your coalition have credibility? does it| coalition have credibility? does it have _ coalition have credibility? does it have legitimacy— coalition have credibility? does it have legitimacy now— coalition have credibility? does it have legitimacy now leo - coalition have credibility? does it| have legitimacy now leo varadkar coalition have credibility? does it i have legitimacy now leo varadkar has stood _ have legitimacy now leo varadkar has stood down? — have legitimacy now leo varadkar has stood down? we _ have legitimacy now leo varadkar has stood down? we did _ have legitimacy now leo varadkar has stood down? we did not— have legitimacy now leo varadkar has stood down? we did not be _ have legitimacy now leo varadkar has stood down? we did not be better- have legitimacy now leo varadkar has stood down? we did not be better tol stood down? we did not be better to call a _ stood down? we did not be better to call a general— stood down? we did not be better to call a general election? _ stood down? we did not be better to call a general election? the- call a general election? the constitution _ call a general election? the constitution is _ call a general election? the constitution is very - call a general election? constitution is very clear, call a general election?- constitution is very clear, of course — constitution is very clear, of course the government has credibility and in fairness to the

teacher— credibility and in fairness to the teacher he is entitled to take a decision— teacher he is entitled to take a decision of this kind as he set for himself— decision of this kind as he set for himself personal and political reasons _ himself personal and political reasons. 0ur himself personal and political reasons. our system of government as laid out _ reasons. our system of government as laid out in — reasons. our system of government as laid out in the _ reasons. our system of government as laid out in the constitution is in terms — laid out in the constitution is in terms of— laid out in the constitution is in terms of majority electing the ministers of the day and as a result of this— ministers of the day and as a result of this decision, so it is new, it ism _ of this decision, so it is new, it ism it— of this decision, so it is new, it ism it is— of this decision, so it is new, it is... it is unprecedented in many ways— is... it is unprecedented in many ways lrut— is... it is unprecedented in many ways but it — is... it is unprecedented in many ways but it has happened before where _ ways but it has happened before where taoiseach have been elected mainstream so in my view, we have a clear— mainstream so in my view, we have a clear mandate. the government has done _ clear mandate. the government has done well— clear mandate. the government has done well in — clear mandate. the government has done well in terms of the objectives and management of the economy, in terms _ and management of the economy, in terms of— and management of the economy, in terms of very significant progress in education. and in health. and in terms _ in education. and in health. and in terms of— in education. and in health. and in terms of navigating covid—19, we were _ terms of navigating covid—19, we were on— terms of navigating covid—19, we were on covid—19 and many challenges

that have _ were on covid—19 and many challenges that have come our way. can were on covid-19 and many challenges that have come our way.— that have come our way. can you tell is about how — that have come our way. can you tell is about how you _ that have come our way. can you tell is about how you found _ that have come our way. can you tell is about how you found out _ that have come our way. can you tell is about how you found out this i is about how you found out this morning — is about how you found out this morning and _ is about how you found out this morning and did _ is about how you found out this morning and did you _ is about how you found out this morning and did you find - is about how you found out this morning and did you find out. morning and did you find out yesterday— morning and did you find out yesterday for _ morning and did you find out yesterday for example? i morning and did you find out yesterday for example? how morning and did you find out. yesterday for example? how did morning and did you find out- yesterday for example? how did you find out, _ yesterday for example? how did you find out, where _ yesterday for example? how did you find out, where you _ yesterday for example? how did you find out, where you shocked - yesterday for example? how did you find out, where you shocked and i yesterday for example? how did you find out, where you shocked and dol find out, where you shocked and do you have _ find out, where you shocked and do you have any— find out, where you shocked and do you have any preference _ find out, where you shocked and do you have any preference who - find out, where you shocked and do i you have any preference who succeeds leo you have any preference who succeeds leo varadkar? — you have any preference who succeeds leo varadkar? you _ you have any preference who succeeds leo varadkar?— leo varadkar? you may not have icked u- leo varadkar? you may not have picked up earlier, _ leo varadkar? you may not have picked up earlier, last _ leo varadkar? you may not have picked up earlier, last evening i picked up earlier, last evening after— picked up earlier, last evening after the — picked up earlier, last evening after the normal leaders meeting, the taoiseach asked myself to stay behind _ the taoiseach asked myself to stay behind and so he briefed us in terms of his— behind and so he briefed us in terms of his plans — behind and so he briefed us in terms of his plans and he told us what he intended _ of his plans and he told us what he intended to — of his plans and he told us what he intended to do. i was surprised, very— intended to do. i was surprised, very surprised. as i said, i had a very— very surprised. as i said, i had a very good — very surprised. as i said, i had a very good relationship with leo varadkar~ — very good relationship with leo varadkar. the three party leaders have _ varadkar. the three party leaders have always been in a position to resolve _ have always been in a position to resolve any— have always been in a position to resolve any policy differences. we had a _ resolve any policy differences. we had a good process updating each other— had a good process updating each other and — had a good process updating each

other and on a personal level we got on welt _ other and on a personal level we got on welt i_ other and on a personal level we got on well. i think that was important in terms _ on well. i think that was important in terms of— on well. i think that was important in terms of the smooth running of the government in terms of organisational government through the various cabinet subcommittees. the government itself and the process — the government itself and the process of getting policy positions ironed _ process of getting policy positions ironed out and resolved. from that perspective, it is not something i anticipated. but i do wish leo the very best — anticipated. but i do wish leo the very best. not an easy decision for him to— very best. not an easy decision for him to take, — very best. not an easy decision for him to take, a lot of courage in that— him to take, a lot of courage in that decision as well. sol him to take, a lot of courage in that decision as well. so i think you know— that decision as well. so i think you know the answer to the latter part of— you know the answer to the latter part of your question. it is not for any leader— part of your question. it is not for any leader to comment on who the next leader— any leader to comment on who the next leader of fine gael should be but it— next leader of fine gael should be but it is— next leader of fine gael should be but it is a — next leader of fine gael should be but it is a marketer for the party, they— but it is a marketer for the party, they will— but it is a marketer for the party, they will have election.— but it is a marketer for the party, they will have election. would you acce -t the they will have election. would you accept the coalition _ they will have election. would you accept the coalition becomes i accept the coalition becomes inherently— accept the coalition becomes inherently more _ accept the coalition becomes inherently more unstable i accept the coalition becomes i inherently more unstable after reelection— inherently more unstable after re—election because _ inherently more unstable after re—election because they-

inherently more unstable afteri re—election because they might inherently more unstable after - re—election because they might have a mind _ re—election because they might have a mind to _ re—election because they might have a mind to seek— re—election because they might have a mind to seeka— re—election because they might have a mind to seek a mandate _ re—election because they might have a mind to seek a mandate from i re—election because they might have a mind to seek a mandate from the i a mind to seek a mandate from the public— a mind to seek a mandate from the public which — a mind to seek a mandate from the public which they— a mind to seek a mandate from the public which they would _ a mind to seek a mandate from the public which they would not - a mind to seek a mandate from the public which they would not have i a mind to seek a mandate from the public which they would not have in the same _ public which they would not have in the same way— public which they would not have in the same way leo— public which they would not have in the same way leo varadkar- public which they would not have in the same way leo varadkar has? i public which they would not have in the same way leo varadkar has? [i the same way leo varadkar has? sensed politicians want —— the people — sensed politicians want —— the people want politicians to focus on the issues — people want politicians to focus on the issues that concern them, solid economic— the issues that concern them, solid economic management, proper distribution of resources, in terms of services — distribution of resources, in terms of services around education and health. _ of services around education and health, childcare and so forth. the public— health, childcare and so forth. the public want — health, childcare and so forth. the public want us to focus on the issues — public want us to focus on the issues and _ public want us to focus on the issues and i think the public, my sense _ issues and i think the public, my sense having been around is people feel this _ sense having been around is people feel this government has done a good 'ob feel this government has done a good job since _ feel this government has done a good job since the inception, we had major— job since the inception, we had major issues with covid onwards and you know— major issues with covid onwards and you know my view for a long, long time _ you know my view for a long, long time has _ you know my view for a long, long time has been government should go full term, _ time has been government should go full term, that is my view. that creates — full term, that is my view. that creates stability, avoids short—term decision—making. it gives a better, i think. _ decision—making. it gives a better, i think, policy focus than a short—term one and that is why i have _ short—term one and that is why i have been— short—term one and that is why i have been steadfast since the beginning of this government that it

should _ beginning of this government that it should go— beginning of this government that it should go full term, that remains my position— should go full term, that remains my position and — should go full term, that remains my position and the newly elected leader. — position and the newly elected leader. i— position and the newly elected leader, i will articulate that as well— leader, i will articulate that as well as— leader, i will articulate that as well as being my position. thank you very much _ he speaks irish studio: that is micheal martin, formerly taoiseach in that coalition government where the split for saying he was told of leo varadkar�*s announcement to resignjust announcement to resign just yesterday announcement to resignjust yesterday evening. he said he was very surprised and did not expected, he said it was a very difficult decision but that they had a very good relationship, and on a personal level it worked well for the smooth functioning of that coalition government. he said the current

government. he said the current government should still run to a full term without a general election but he was told yesterday evening that leo varadkar was to resign, it is being described by some as a political earthquake in ireland. leo varadkar still young, political earthquake in ireland. leo varadkarstill young, no political earthquake in ireland. leo varadkar still young, no indication in wider circles that this announcement was due to come and in his statement, leo varadkar said it was for political and personal reasons and there will now be a political race to see who takes over as the leader of the party. let's listen to some of that statement from leo varadkar made in the last few minutes. i from leo varadkar made in the last few minutes-— few minutes. i have had the privilege — few minutes. i have had the privilege to _ few minutes. i have had the privilege to serve _ few minutes. i have had the privilege to serve for - few minutes. i have had the privilege to serve for the i few minutes. i have had the i privilege to serve for the past 20 years as a public resident representative, privilege to serve for the past 20 years as a public resident representative, 13 privilege to serve for the past 20 years as a public resident representative, 13 is privilege to serve for the past 20 years as a public resident representative, 13 is a privilege to serve for the past 20 years as a public resident representative, 13 is a member privilege to serve for the past 20 years as a public resident representative, 13 is a member of cabinet, seven as leader of my party and most of those as taoiseach of this great country. it has been the most fulfilling time of my life. working with colleagues i have had the honour of helping lead ireland

from unemployment to full employment, bob budget deficit to, to posterity, through a pandemic, through brexit when we prevented a hard border between north and south and protected our place in europe. i am proud we have made the country are more equal and modern place when it comes to the rights of children, the lgbt community, equality for women and their bodily autonomy. more recently we have led the country through an inflation and cost of living crisis, the worst of which is thankfully behind us. we made significant steps towards universal health care, making access to both more affordable for more people, we made work pay better with the implementation of a national living wage, statutory sick pay, lower personal taxes, improved family leave allowing parents to spend more time with children in those crucial early years. i am happy that during my time we were able to honour my commitment to double spending on the arts, culture

and sport, making a real difference now and will continue to do so into the future, fostering and assisting artists and sportsmen and women of the future. we provided leadership by increasing spending on international development and expanded our diplomatic footprint around the world building on ireland's already considerable soft power. the national broadband plan is under way bringing fibre —based connections to every school, business and farming community in ireland which critics said should not be done. we established universities in the royal development fund and since 2011 have quadrupled annual investment on public infrastructure meaning considerably more investment in priorities look housing, health care facilities, school buildings and climate action. i am deeply proud that we as irish people welcomed over 100 ukrainian refugees to our shores, notwithstanding the

challenges this brings. in my time as taoiseach we reduced consistent poverty and income inequality, housing structure has more than doubled with 500 people becoming horny homeowners each week, the highest number in decades. there are —— becoming homeowners. there are some where we have gone backwards but i hope you forgive me if i leave it to others to point them out on a day like this and they will receive plenty of column space and airtime. when i became party leader and taoiseach back injune 2017, i knew one part of leadership is knowing when the time has come to pass on the button to someone else and then having the courage to do. that time is now so i am resigning as president and leader of fine gael as of today and will resign as leader of today and will resign as leader of taoiseach sinners at six successor is able to take over.

allowing a new taoiseach to be elected after the easter break. i know this will come as a surprise to many people and it is a disappointment to some, and i hope at least you will understand my decision. i know others will, how shall i put it, cope with the news just fine. that is the great thing about living in a democracy. there is never a right time to resign high office, howeverthis is never a right time to resign high office, however this is as good a time as any. budget 2024 is done, negotiations have not yet commenced on the next one, institutions of the good friday agreement are working again and ourtrading good friday agreement are working again and our trading agreement with the uk in the post brexiteer is settled and stable. the new taoiseach will have a full two months to prepare for local european elections and up to one year before the next general election. my reasons for stepping down both and

political. i believe this government can be re—elected and that my party fine gael can gain seats in the next. mostly fine gael can gain seats in the mostly i believe the re—election of this three party government would be the right thing for the future of this country continue to take us forward, protecting all that has been achieved and building on it. after careful consideration, and some soul—searching i believe a new taoiseach and leader will be better placed than me to achieve that. to renew and strengthen the team, to focus message and policies and drive implementation and after seven years in office, i do not feel i am the best person for thatjob any more. there are loyal colleagues and good friends contesting local european elections and i want to give them the best chance possible and i think there is a better chance under a new leader. i am standing aside in the absolute confidence that the economy

is in a good place and my colleagues from all three parties will continue to work hard for the nation's best interests. 0n to work hard for the nation's best interests. on a personal level i have enjoyed being taoiseach, leader and cabinet member, since march 2011. i have learned so much about so many things, met so many people i had never met, been to places i would never have seen home and abroad and i'm deeply gratefulfor it. despite the challenges, i would wholeheartedly recommend a career in politics to anyone considering it. however, politicians are human beings and we have our limitations. we give it everything until we cannot any more and then we have move on. i will of course continue to fulfil my duties as taoiseach until a new one is elected. i will remain as consistency td for dublin west. there will be speculation as to the quote and quote real reason

for my decision, these are the real reasons. that is it, i have nothing else lined up, i have nothing in mind, i have no definite or political plans but i'm looking forward to having the time to think about it. i would like to thank my party, coach and partners. my constituents, colleagues and staff for their loyalty and phenomenal work and iron going to thank them all in person in the nearfuture. most of all, i want to finish by thanking the people of ireland for giving me the opportunity to serve them and i promise i will keep working for ireland and my community in anyway i can in the future. thank you very much. in anyway i can in the future. thank you very much-— you very much. and emotional statement _ you very much. and emotional statement from _ you very much. and emotional statement from leo _ you very much. and emotional statement from leo varadkar, j statement from leo varadkar, described as a political earthquake in ireland, completely unforeseen, evenin in ireland, completely unforeseen, even in political circles. leo varadkar departing ahead of the

three party coalition, it does not trigger general election automatically but it does trigger a leadership election for fine gael. we had from micheal martin who shared the role of taoiseach with him in this coalition government saying he was told of the decision yesterday evening. it was a surprise, he spoke warmly about his relationship with leo varadkar saying they got on on a very good level and it helped smooth the functioning of the coalition government but you heard yourself leo varadkar see politicians are human and you give it everything you can until you cannot. he talked about the future of the party saying he wanted to give a successor time to be voted on and build towards future elections. there has been some social media comments saying there needs to be an election now

but that is not a constitutional position at all. leo varadkar was known on a personal level because he was the first gay teacher in ireland, very staunchly catholic country. he is also half indian, he was very prominent during the very thought brexit negotiations, with the uk and european leaders, in a very fraught time and he spoke about leaving at a time when the good friday agreement principles are functioning and the trade agreements are working well. he steered ireland in part through the pandemic aftermath too. he has served two terms, he was very young when he first came to prominence and this will now lead to a huge new race for who takes over from leo varadkar. let's bring injennifer 0'leary from

the newsroom to give us more background on this. more reaction coming into this now. what is your sense of the political reaction? hate sense of the political reaction? we heard sense of the political reaction? , heard from his coalition partner, one of his partners in government, micheal martin, leader of the fianna fail party. he is the effective deputy prime minister, the and the news came as a surprise to him. he described it as unprecedented, but he stated he remains committed to the government. leo varadkar�*s decision to step down as leader of fine gael does not affect the constitutionality of the irish government. he will remain as an effective caretaker prime minister or taoiseach as it is known until a new fine gael party leader is

elected but it certainly increases the pressure on the polling of the next irish general election which has to be held before springtime next year. certainly, his announcement, the news today earlier from dublin began to filter out quite slowly. it was the subject of our rumour mill but it came until it was formally announced as a massive shock across dublin and certainly political political circles as well. he acknowledged there would be speculation as to the real reasons for this, speculation as to the real reasons forthis, he speculation as to the real reasons for this, he said they were personal and political. in terms of political timing if you want to give time for any successor to build support, is this a logical time to step down? it gives time for a successor to build their brand and gives them a clear

number of months to get them set up in thejob as number of months to get them set up in the job as a leader of fine gael and in thejob in the job as a leader of fine gael and in the job as prime in the job as a leader of fine gael and in thejob as prime minister, as taoiseach of ireland. certainly taking a step back in terms of political reasons. 0n taking a step back in terms of political reasons. on paper there is certainly a case for it. it was a very different leo varadkar that made that statement earlier, because it is very rare he shows emotion, he has a politician defined by his straight

decided to go now but if there was something going on, it is expected given his force of personality and type of personality that he may have given more of an indication. he had previously indicated he was going to retire from politics before he reached the age of 50 and he is five years ahead of that goal. in that respect, he has remained two to his word. ., ~ respect, he has remained two to his word. . ~ i. respect, he has remained two to his word. ., ~' ,, , respect, he has remained two to his word. . ~ i. , . word. thank you very much indeed. jennifer speaking _ word. thank you very much indeed. jennifer speaking last _ word. thank you very much indeed. jennifer speaking last from - word. thank you very much indeed. jennifer speaking last from dublin. | jennifer speaking last from dublin. now to ourformer jennifer speaking last from dublin. now to our former dublin correspondent. a huge political shock this announcement? absolutely, no indication — shock this announcement? absolutely, no indication this _ shock this announcement? absolutely, no indication this was _ shock this announcement? absolutely, no indication this was going _ shock this announcement? absolutely, no indication this was going to - no indication this was going to happen — no indication this was going to happen. leo varadkar we know

reputation for being a straight talker, not being like a normal politician, _ talker, not being like a normal politician, he was prepared to tell it as he _ politician, he was prepared to tell it as he sought when he was the minister. — it as he sought when he was the minister, not often to the delight of his— minister, not often to the delight of his ministerial colleagues. he indicated — of his ministerial colleagues. he indicated asjennifer of his ministerial colleagues. he indicated as jennifer has of his ministerial colleagues. he indicated asjennifer has been telling — indicated asjennifer has been telling us he was not going to stay in politics— telling us he was not going to stay in politics all his life and as he indicated _ in politics all his life and as he indicated he is leaving ahead of that timeframe he told us. is there an other that timeframe he told us. is there any other information at _ that timeframe he told us. is there any other information at all - that timeframe he told us. is there any other information at all you i that timeframe he told us. is there | any other information at all you are picking up as to why he has made this decision now? he said there

will be speculation that he was setting if the reasons which were political and personal as he saw them. ~ ., ., political and personal as he saw them. ., ., ~ ., ., them. we do not know what the ersonal them. we do not know what the personal reasons _ them. we do not know what the personal reasons are _ them. we do not know what the personal reasons are other i them. we do not know what the personal reasons are other than j them. we do not know what the i personal reasons are other than he did say— personal reasons are other than he did say that — personal reasons are other than he did say that he did intend to leave politics _ did say that he did intend to leave politics at — did say that he did intend to leave politics at a relatively early age. he and — politics at a relatively early age. he and his — politics at a relatively early age. he and his partner are both doctors and he _ he and his partner are both doctors and he has — he and his partner are both doctors and he has indicated in the past that he — and he has indicated in the past that he did mess medicine but that is not _ that he did mess medicine but that is not thought to be the reasons for this.

reenergise the party which leo varadkar led and from his point of view, _ varadkar led and from his point of view, hopefully put some fresh energy— view, hopefully put some fresh energy into the government. we are in a very— energy into the government. we are in a very fluid situation at the moment, _ in a very fluid situation at the moment, for a long time it was speculated sinn fein would almost certainly— speculated sinn fein would almost certainly be returned as the government after the next election, but recently that party has also been _ but recently that party has also been suffering a bit in the polls, seeing _ been suffering a bit in the polls, seeing a — been suffering a bit in the polls, seeing a downward momentum in terms of the _ seeing a downward momentum in terms of the weight was heading. leo varadkar— of the weight was heading. leo varadkar is giving his successor time _ varadkar is giving his successor time to— varadkar is giving his successor time to put his or her shape on the fine gaet— time to put his or her shape on the fine gael party in the country because _ fine gael party in the country because whoever becomes the leader will also _ because whoever becomes the leader will also become the taoiseach or prime _ will also become the taoiseach or prime minister of ireland. more on his personal _ prime minister of ireland. more on his personal background, - prime minister of ireland. more on his personal background, we i prime minister of ireland. more on his personal background, we saw l his personal background, we saw pictures of him with rishi sunak

also of indian heritage, the uk has got an increasing number of ethnic minority leaders at the moment and he was obviously openly gay as well when he was elected, that personally very different background as you mentioned, did that have a wider ripple effect? how was that received when he first came in and how does it stands now? he when he first came in and how does it stands now?— it stands now? he was seen as a breath of fresh _ it stands now? he was seen as a breath of fresh air, _ it stands now? he was seen as a breath of fresh air, not - it stands now? he was seen as a breath of fresh air, notjust i breath of fresh air, not just because _ breath of fresh air, not just because of his personal story, which put him _ because of his personal story, which put him aside or set him aside from other— put him aside or set him aside from other irish — put him aside or set him aside from other irish leaders. there was a well—known story other irish leaders. there was a well— known story about the then british _ well— known story about the then british prime minister boris johnstone once saying or reputed to have once _ johnstone once saying or reputed to have once said why can't he be called — have once said why can't he be called murphy like the rest of them? he was— called murphy like the rest of them? he was very different just because of his— he was very different just because of his indian background, but also because _ of his indian background, but also because he — of his indian background, but also because he was as you mentioned a

-ay because he was as you mentioned a gay man— because he was as you mentioned a gay man at— because he was as you mentioned a gay man at a — because he was as you mentioned a gay man at a time when marriage equality— gay man at a time when marriage equality did not exist in ireland, that was— equality did not exist in ireland, that was changed by the people in a referendum, the first and as far as i'm aware— referendum, the first and as far as i'm aware only country to have done so where _ i'm aware only country to have done so where manager equality was introduced by the people as opposed to parliament or indeed a court ruling — to parliament or indeed a court ruling you _ to parliament or indeed a court ruling. you also had a reputation for being — ruling. you also had a reputation for being a — ruling. you also had a reputation for being a straight talker and again. — for being a straight talker and again, that set him aside from many other— again, that set him aside from many other irish _ again, that set him aside from many other irish politicians but he was also atypical in the sense that he was not — also atypical in the sense that he was not a — also atypical in the sense that he was not a people person even though he was a _ was not a people person even though he was a doctor. he often appeared to be _ he was a doctor. he often appeared to be in— he was a doctor. he often appeared to be in many ways socially autistic, _ to be in many ways socially autistic, not very comfortable in a crowd _ autistic, not very comfortable in a crowd and — autistic, not very comfortable in a crowd and that kind of set him out as well— crowd and that kind of set him out as well and — crowd and that kind of set him out as well and made life difficult for his media — as well and made life difficult for his media handlers but by and large, the people _ his media handlers but by and large, the people did warm to him, particularly during the covid period where _ particularly during the covid period where the — particularly during the covid period where the government he led which was a _ where the government he led which was a minority fine gael government, was a minority fine gael government, was widely— was a minority fine gael government, was widely seen as being very, very popular— was widely seen as being very, very popular but — was widely seen as being very, very popular but everybody knew once

covid _ popular but everybody knew once covid went, that popularity would probably— covid went, that popularity would probably go and that is exactly what happened. probably go and that is exactly what ha ened. , , , probably go and that is exactly what ha--ened. , , , ., , probably go and that is exactly what ha--ened. , , , . , ., happened. very briefly, anything on the horizon — happened. very briefly, anything on the horizon for _ happened. very briefly, anything on the horizon for him _ happened. very briefly, anything on the horizon for him as _ happened. very briefly, anything on the horizon for him as far _ happened. very briefly, anything on the horizon for him as far as - happened. very briefly, anything on the horizon for him as far as we i the horizon for him as far as we know? he said not for the moment. we have heard speculation he may be in the running — have heard speculation he may be in the running for a europeanjob. gk. the running for a european 'ob. ok. ve the running fora europeanjob. off; very interesting, we have to come back to you. more to come. thank you very much, this is bbc news.

the irish prime minister leo varadkar has announced he's resigning from the position — and as leader of his party. the data watchdog is assessing reports staff at the hospital where the princess of wales is having surgey tried to access her

—— where the princess of wales had surgery tried to access her private medical reports. it's the most terrifying thing i have ever experienced. we speak to a man whose addiction to synthetic opioids nearly killed him — as doctors warn the uk is too slow to act to stop the spread of their use. bakery chain greggs is forced to shut some shops as it problems prevent people from paying by card — just days after other big food chains suffered similar issues. how much is too much when it comes to easter eggs? we talk to the shopkeeper who mistakenly ordered more easter eggs than the entire population of his island. coming up on sportsday later in the hour on bbc news: we'll be live at st george's park as england prepare for their friendlies against brazil and belgium at wembley.

good afternoon and welcome to the bbc�*s news at one.