Enda Kenny will resign as Taoiseach this afternoon, 6 years after being elected leader of the country.

He’ll announce his intentions to the Dáil – paving the way for Leo Varadkar to become Taoiseach.

Sean Defoe reports from Government Buildings where ministers have been arriving for Enda Kenny’s last cabinet meeting.

Simon Coveney was one of many ministers paying tribute this morning.

On what must be a bittersweet say for Enda Kenny, he was eager to deflect the limelight.

Asked as he walked away if it was a sad day the Taoiseach shouted back NO!

The focus now will turn to the Dáil chamber where Enda Kenny will announce he’s stepping down – and put the wheels in motion to elect Leo Varadkar as Ireland’s 14th Taoiseach tomorrow. </s> After six years in office, Enda Kenny is today spending his final hours as Taoiseach.

Mr Kenny will chair his final cabinet meeting this morning and the busy agenda will likely be rounded off with him formally announcing his intention to resign today.

When the DÃ¡il resumes at 2pm he is expected to tell TDs and the nation he is stepping down.

This will likely be followed by short farewell speeches before the house adjourns and he travels to Aras an UachtarÃ¡n and resigns.

Attention will then turn to the election of his successor tomorrow and Leo Varadkar's announcement of his new Cabinet.

Many of the current ministers are expected to remain in place but change jobs. </s> Update 12.39pm: Taoiseach Enda Kenny has delivered a stark warning to Leo Varadkar at his final Cabinet meeting saying: "There is a huge difference in leading a country to running a Government department", writes Daniel McConnell, Political Editor.

Mr Kenny has concluded his final Cabinet meeting ahead of his resignation this afternoon.

According to sources, Mr Kenny was said to be businesslike throughout the entire Cabinet meeting.

It is understood at the end of the meeting, Mr Kenny said a few words to those present and he wished those remaining on in Cabinet well.

At the end of the meeting, Mr Kenny shook all the hands of the ministers present.

Outgoing Taoiseach Enda Kenny has chaired his last meeting of the Cabinet this morning ahead of his resignation this afternoon.

Sources have said warm tributes were paid to Mr Kenny from both Fine Gael and Independent ministers.

Outgoing Taoiseach Enda Kenny arrives at Government Buildings, Dublin, for his last day as Taoiseach.

Incoming Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is said to have led the tributes at the weekly gathering of ministers.

Warm tributes were also paid to Finance Minister Michael Noonan, who is also retiring from Cabinet.

Mr Noonan was a key player in securing the support of the Independent Alliance for the minority government a year ago and his influence among younger Fine Gael ministers was significant.

It is understood that a number of lighter moments were had at the meeting and the mood was âjovial enoughâ.

Michael Noonan, who is also retiring from Cabinet

âThere was no sense that Enda is being pushed here, even though he is. He has made peace with his exit it seemed,â said one source.

Both men were praised for their handling of the economic crisis and for their leadership of the country during difficult times.

Normal business in the DÃ¡il this afternoon is to be suspended to make way for Mr Kennyâs retirement speech and tributes from leading figures in the house.

The House will be adjourned to allow Mr Kenny travel to Aras an Uachtarain to present his seal of office to President Michael D Higgins.

It had been originally expected that the DÃ¡il would take nominations to replace Mr Kenny today but it was decided to delay that until tomorrow to allow the departing Taoiseach a dignified exit and to allow incoming Taoiseach Leo Varadkar a clear run.

Arriving at Government Buildings for the Cabinet meeting this morning, Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan praised Mr Kenny saying his legacy will be substantial.

Mr Flanagan said the Taoiseach had convened a "war cabinet" at a time of great difficulty and ensured the public finances were brought back to order.

Fianna FÃ¡il leader MicheÃ¡l Martin (pictured) has said he thinks he "probably will" miss the Taoiseach, because Mr Kenny had been his immediate opponent and they had had "many an encounter".

Speaking on RTÃ's Morning Ireland, Mr Martin said Mr Kenny was a courageous politician and described him as a patriot who had served his country well.

Mr Martin quipped that Mr Kenny was probably enjoying the moment and "smiling a little bit today" as he is being lauded as "the greatest leader since Brian Boru" just weeks after his own ministers were briefing journalists calling on him to go.

On his way into Cabinet this morning, Mr Kenny said he has been âproud and privilegedâ to serve as Taoiseach for so many years as colleagues paid tribute to him on his last day in office.

âWhile it may be a milestone for me personally, in the context of the country thatâs irrelevant,â he said.

âSo itâs business as usual. We have many challenges up ahead. Iâm proud and privileged to have been able to serve as Taoiseach for all these years.â

Asked as he entered Government Buildings if today was a sad day for him, he said: âNoâ.

It is understood that Mr Kenny used the early part of yesterday to clear out his desk and say goodbye to staff at Government Buildings.

Once that was completed, he hosted an informal lunch for his personal staff in Hugo's Restaurant on Merrion Row, just around the corner from his office.

Hugoâs operates as the virtual posh canteen for ministers and senior officials in Government Buildings and the two finance departments. It is also a favoured haunt of Labour leader and former Minister Brendan Howlin.

It is understood that last Thursday night at the Farmleigh state guest house in the Phoenix Park, there was a special government dinner and presentation from all the Cabinet members to Mr Kenny and also to outgoing Finance Minister Michael Noonan.

Then on Friday night there was a party in Government Buildings for Mr Kennyâs family and close personal friends, which went on late.

Mr Kenny is the longest serving Fine Gael Taoiseach and the first in his party to serve two consecutive terms in the highest political office.

His legacy will be marked by the turnaround in the economy, the country's exit from the bailout programme and the same sex marriage referendum.

However, his continued mishandling of several justice crises since 2014 have dogged his time in office and ultimately led to his departure from office. </s> Enda Kenny’s period of over six years and three months in the Department of Taoiseach will come to an end when his successor, Leo Varadkar, takes up office tomorrow. But today is all about Kenny. </s> Enda Kenny has announced his intention to resign as Fine Gael party leader, effective from midnight tonight.

The Mayo TD was first elected to the Dáil in 1975, and he made his announcement in a statement this afternoon at a meeting of the parliamentary party this evening.

It will bring to an end a six-year spell as Taoiseach and a campaign will now begin to a new Fine Gael leader and Taoiseach before June 2.

Minister for Social Protection Leo Varadkar and Housing Minister Simon Coventry are the pair being tipped for a leadership battle, but Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald has not yet ruled herself out. </s> The governing party of Ireland Fine Gael has named Leo Varadkar as its new leader on Friday, which means that the openly gay, 38-year-old son of an Indian immigrant will succeed Enda Kenny as prime minister. Varadkar is expected to be voted in officially when parliament next sits on June 13. He will be the first gay PM of the once deeply Catholic country and the youngest person ever to hold the office. </s> Taoiseach Enda Kenny has announced that he will step down as Fine Gael leader at midnight tonight.

His announcement triggers a leadership election in the party and Kenny says he expects the process to be completed by close of business on 2 June.

The 66-year-old has led Fine Gael for 15 years and has served as Taoiseach since 2011.

In a statement posted on Twitter, he said he intends to carry out his leadership duties in full until a successor is appointed.

The full posting can be found below:



Leo Varadkar and Simon Coveney are the front-runners to replace Kenny, with Varadkar the bookies favourite carrying odds of 4/9.

Frances Fitzgerald has also refused to rule herself out of the race, and the Tánaiste has support from various people in and out of the party. </s> Normal Dáil business has been suspended for the expected election of Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar as Taoiseach on Wednesday afternoon.

Enda Kenny stepped down on Tuesday after six years as Taoiseach, paving the way for Mr Varadkar’s elevation. Follow all of the events throughout the day here on our liveblog.

Midday: At midday, the Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl will take nominations for the position of Taoiseach. No other nominations are anticipated, but parties other than Fine Gael are entitled to put names forward.

Speeches will be invited from those nominating candidates and the nomination or nominations will be put to a vote.

2pm: Fianna Fáil has confirmed it will abstain in the vote on Mr Varadkar, scheduled for around 2pm, in line with the party’s “confidence and supply” arrangement to support the minority Fine Gael government.

Mr Varadkar is expected to be appointed with the support of some 58 TDs including Fine Gael, the Independent Alliance, two Independent Ministers and Independent TD Michael Lowry. The Dáil is then expected to be adjourned for some four hours.

This evening: Mr Varadkar will travel to Áras an Uachtaráin to collect his seal of office from President Michael D Higgins, who accepted Mr Kenny’s resignation at his residence in the Phoenix Park on Tuesday afternoon.

6pm: Mr Varadkar will return to the Dáil to announce his Cabinet at 6pm. He will enter the chamber with his senior Ministers. It should be clear from their positions on the front bench and proximity to Mr Varadkar, which roles some Ministers, such as the Tánaiste and perhaps new Minister for Finance, will hold.

Late: A vote will be held on the Cabinet before Mr Varadkar returns to Áras an Uachtaráin, accompanied by his Ministers this time. The Ministers will receive their seals of office from Mr Higgins and a so-called “family photograph” will be taken for posterity. </s> Taoiseach Enda Kenny has announced he is stepping down as leader of Fine Gael from midnight.

Mr Kenny, who has been leader of Fine Gael since 2002 and Taoiseach since 2011, made the long-awaited announcement at the weekly meeting of Fine Gael TDs and senators on Wednesday evening, triggering the contest to succeed him.

Mr Kenny will remain as Taoiseach until his successor is elected. The new leader will be announced on Friday, June 2nd.

Minister for Housing Simon Coveney and Minister for Social Protection Leo Varadkar are seen as the two front-runners.

The party’s national executive will meet on Thursday to finalise the mechanics of the contest.

Mr Kenny (66) said he will allow the new leader some time to conduct discussions with Fianna Fáil and the Independents before he will stand aside as Taoiseach.

The Fine Gael parliamentary party was scheduled to meet in Leinster House at 5.30pm but Mr Kenny had called for it to be brought forward by an hour.

The entire meeting lasted just seven minutes.

Mr Kenny made a short speech in which he mentioned his “uninterrupted service” in the Dáil since 1975 and thanked his supporters in his Mayo constituency and his family.

Mr Kenny was described by those present as “very emotional” and was given a number of standing ovations by his TDs and senators.

Martin Heydon, the chairman of the parliamentary party, gave a short speech paying tribute and thanking Mr Kenny.

Although some TDs, such as Dublin South Central’s Catherine Byrne, indicated they would like to speak, Mr Kenny asked if it was “okay for him to go now”.

“It was like he couldn’t take it,” said one of those present.

Mr Kenny is due to travel to the US and Belgium between June 4th and June 7th.

In his statement, Mr Kenny said he will “retire as leader from midnight tonight 17th May 2017”.

“I will continue to carry out my duties as party leader in an acting capacity, until my successor is elected through the Fine Gael leadership election process,” said Mr Kenny, who received a standing ovation at the meeting.

Expedite process

“I have asked that the Fine Gael Executive Council expedite this process and to have it concluded by close of business on Friday June 2nd.

“I want to assure people that throughout this internal process, I will continue to carry out my duties and responsibilities as Taoiseach in full.

“I intend to provide a brief but appropriate period for my successor to engage with groups and members supportive of Government, and with other Parties in the Dáil regarding provision of Government for the future.

“I would like to stress the huge honour and privilege that it has been for me to lead our party for the past 15 years, in opposition and into Government on two successive occasions.

“I thank all our members, past and present for that privilege. I thank all my loyal constituents and supporters in Mayo for their unstinting loyalty since 1975, and for their support for my family previously in providing unbroken service to the County in Dáil Éireann since 1954.

“I thank my personal staff for their commitment over many years to their duties. I especially want to thank my wife Fionnuala, our children, my siblings and their families for their understanding of my work, and indeed for accepting the many intrusions of politics into family life in the interest of building our Country. I could not have engaged as I did without that base.”

‘Very emotional’

Mr Heydon praised Mr Kenny for his tenure as Fine Gael leader.

In a statement, he listed the achievements of the Fine Gael leader including the marriage equality referendum, an apology for survivors of the Magdalene laundries, the children’s rights referendum, and legislating for the X Case.

“He fostered and encouraged a generational change in our Party, which while being the largest party in Dáil Éireann, now also has one of the youngest age profiles.

“Thanks to Enda Kenny, Fine Gael has an abundance of talented representatives, who have an ever increasing experience of governing.

“On behalf of the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party, I would like to thank Enda Kenny for his remarkable service to our country and our Party. I would also like to acknowledge the sacrifices made by his wife Fionnuala, and their children Aoibhinn, Ferdia and Naoise, which allowed Enda to be the great leader that he has been.”

Mr Kenny is understood to have held a meeting of his staff ahead of a press launch on Wednesday afternoon to inform them of his plans.

Fair play contract

Candidates are to be compelled to sign up to a “fair play contract” that will attempt to keep the contest to succeed Mr Kenny as party leader clean. A document will be drawn up by the party hierarchy over the coming days.

Party sources told The Irish Times the so-called “fair play contract” will prohibit candidates from using methods the party deems unacceptable, such as distributing opinion polls with disputed methodologies.

The move follows on from the distribution of polls by supporters of Mr Coveney which sought to assess the levels of support for Fine Gael if the party was led by Mr Coveney or Mr Varadkar.

Although Mr Coveney’s supporters stood over the data, those in Mr Varadkar’s camp have disputed the findings.
Irish Taoiseach Enda Kenny makes his farewell address to Dáil Éireann, and will submit his resignation to President Michael D. Higgins after six years in office. It is expected that his successor, Leo Varadkar, will be elected by the Dáil to succeed him tomorrow.