Ireland

Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald has resigned

A row over Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald's future threatened to torpedo the parliamentary deal keeping the minority government afloat in the Republic
A row over Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald's future threatened to torpedo the parliamentary deal keeping the minority government afloat in the Republic A row over Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald's future threatened to torpedo the parliamentary deal keeping the minority government afloat in the Republic

The Republic of Ireland's minority government is set to narrowly avoid a snap general election after a senior minister caved in to pressure and resigned over her handling of information about the treatment of a whistleblower.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar confirmed the news in a phone call to the leader of the opposition, Fianna Fail's Micheal Martin, whose party threatened to bring down the fragile government over the affair.

The resignation of Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald was revealed at a cabinet meeting.

And only hours out from a motion of no confidence in her, Mr Varadkar telephoned Mr Martin to confirm the decision, a Fianna Fail party source said.

The scandal revolves around Mrs Fitzgerald's knowledge of an aggressive legal strategy against a respected Garda officer during a private inquiry in 2015.

And it threatened the fragile agreement which sees opposition party Fianna Fail prop up Mr Varadkar's minority government.

Not only that, but the fallout is casting a long shadow over December's key Brexit summit, where the future of the border between the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland could be determined.

While there has been no statement from the Taoiseach or Mrs Fitzgerald on the resignation, Fianna Fail's front bench are meeting to discuss the ramifications.

The Taoiseach is to take to his feet in the Dail parliament in Dublin later when the affair is sure to dominate.

In the hours before the cabinet meeting, Mrs Fitzgerald faced renewed calls to resign or be sacked over a series of emails dating back to 2015.

They showed she was aware of the controversial legal strategy to target Garda Sergeant Maurice McCabe at a private judge-led inquiry into his claims of wrongdoing in the force.

Sinn Fein deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald attacked Mrs Fitzgerald over her approach to information about how Sgt McCabe was to be targeted at the private inquiry.

"What is at play here is an absolute and utter dereliction of duty," she told RTE Radio.

"If she won't go then the Taoiseach needs to measure up and demonstrate some level of leadership and judgment and he needs to relieve her of her duties."

The release of emails on Monday night undermined efforts by the Taoiseach and Mr Martin to reach a compromise over the row.

Mrs Fitzgerald, who was justice minister in 2015, said last week that she only learned in 2016 of the approach being taken by lawyers for the then Garda commissioner.

The series of emails contradicts that.

Read Frances Fitzgerald's resignation statement in full