Leo Varadkar has insisted that “no one thing or event” pushed him to announce his resignation as Taoiseach.

Speaking on his way into the EU Leaders Summit in Brussels this morning, Mr Varadkar said he was moving on to “make space for new people, new ideas and new energy”.

He said he has been representing Ireland at home and abroad for more than 13 years and always knew that “it can't be forever and I don't want it to be forever”.

The Taoiseach said he has been considering his future since Christmas – but only made a final decision over the weekend.

When it was put to him that there are those who do not believe he is leaving for “personal and political reasons,” Mr Varadkar said there have been people who don’t believe him throughout his life in politics.

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