Leo Varadkar has been appointed Taoiseach for a second time by President Michael D Higgins. 

Earlier today, Micheál Martin tendered his resignation as agreed in the 2020 coalition agreement. 

The so-called ‘rotating Taoiseach’ clause, in which the two largest party leaders swap jobs halfway through the Dáil term, is a unique innovation in Irish history. 

The job of Taoiseach has always alternated between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil - but never before without a change of Government. 

Dáil Éireann voted for Mr Varadkar to serve again as Taoiseach by a comfortable margin of 87 votes to 62 with one abstention. 

Political priorities

In a speech to assembled TDs, Deputy Varadkar said that not tackling the housing crisis would be a betrayal of Ireland's young people.

“So, what are the challenges for us for the next 100 years?” he told assembled TDs. 

“We have many, and some of them we have to fix now. Otherwise, we will be betraying the current generation and the generations who come after us.

 “I am thinking of housing and how we have to go all out to turn the corner on homelessness and homeownership. 

“We need to accelerate our plan, Housing for All. It’s about making home ownership a reality for the many again.”

“As Taoiseach, my mission will be to build on the achievement of 100 years ago, and work on what needs to be done for this generation and the next.”@Leovaradkar speaking to the Dáil following his election as Taoiseach. pic.twitter.com/D7y9DCt2ID

— Fine Gael (@FineGael) December 17, 2022

Deputy Varadkar also said that there is an urgent need to tackle the climate crisis and generate more green energy in Ireland. 

“We need to set ourselves the ambition of becoming energy independent and develop new ideas to make it happen,” he said. 

“I believe that we can harness our massive untapped, renewable natural resources – providing greater energy security, stable prices, more jobs, and regional development.”

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar with President Michael D. Higgins in Aras an Uachtarain. Credit: Government Information Service

Child poverty and opportunity were other issues he pledged to focus on while in Government. 

“We need to improve access to therapies, provide better special needs education, and do more for those who need it most. We also need to do more about child poverty and disadvantage,” he said. 

 “We know that poverty restricts a child’s opportunity, and casts a long shadow over their lives.

“The number of children in consistent poverty has fallen by 45,000 - we are making progress - but it still means too many children are missing out on everyday opportunities.” 

An Taoiseach will now name the Government's new ministers and hold his first Cabinet meeting at the Áras.

Main image shows Taoiseach Leo Varadkar receiving the seals of office of Taoiseach and Government from Michael D.Higgins in Aras an Uachtarain. Picture by: Government Information Service