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Eamon Gilmore: Tánaiste to stand down as Labour Party leader Eamon Gilmore: Tánaiste to stand down as Labour Party leader
(35 minutes later)
The Tánaiste (deputy prime minister) in the Republic of Ireland, Eamon Gilmore, has announced he is standing down as leader of the Irish Labour Party.The Tánaiste (deputy prime minister) in the Republic of Ireland, Eamon Gilmore, has announced he is standing down as leader of the Irish Labour Party.
Mr Gilmore said he would do so, once a successor had been appointed. He will remain in his role as Tánaiste until that time. Mr Gilmore said he would do so, once a successor had been appointed. He will remain in his role as Tánaiste until a new leader is appointed on 4 July.
The Irish Labour party suffered disastrous results in both the local and European elections. The Irish Labour Party suffered disastrous results in both the local and European elections.
Labour are the junior party in Ireland's coalition government.Labour are the junior party in Ireland's coalition government.
Mr Gilmore told journalists at a press conference in Dublin on Monday afternoon that he had thought about it over the weekend and "agonised" over the decision.Mr Gilmore told journalists at a press conference in Dublin on Monday afternoon that he had thought about it over the weekend and "agonised" over the decision.
"I decided last night (Sunday) that the party would be best served by having a new leader," he said."I decided last night (Sunday) that the party would be best served by having a new leader," he said.
"I intend to remain involved and active in politics. It is my intention to seek re-election in my constituency of Dún Laoghaire at next general election." "I intend to remain involved and active in politics. It is my intention to seek re-election in my constituency of Dún Laoghaire at the next general election."
He said the Labour Party in 2011, following its most successful ever general election, had taken a political risk by entering into a coalition government. He said the Labour Party in 2011, following its most successful ever general election, had taken a "political risk" by entering into a coalition government with Fine Gael.
"I asked the party to take on the responsibility of government during the worst economic crisis in the history of the state," he said."I asked the party to take on the responsibility of government during the worst economic crisis in the history of the state," he said.
"I did so because I believed then, as I do now that as citizens and as a party, we had a duty to put the country first - to address the crisis, to get out of the bail-out, to revert the loss of employment, to get the economy to recover and to do so in as fair and just a manner as humanely possible." "I did so because I believed then, as I do now, that as citizens and as a party, we had a duty to put the country first - to address the crisis, to get out of the bail-out, to revert the loss of employment, to get the economy to recover and to do so in as fair and just a manner as humanely possible."
'Political risk''Political risk'
Mr Gilmore, who is also Minister for Foreign Affairs, said he still believed that it was the "right decision".Mr Gilmore, who is also Minister for Foreign Affairs, said he still believed that it was the "right decision".
"I am proud of the progress we have made in achieving those objectives, but it was a course that carried a high political risk and Labour has paid the price for that in the local and European elections. "I am proud of the progress we have made in achieving those objectives, but it was a course that carried a high political risk and Labour has paid the price for that in the local and European elections."
He said as party leader he had to "take responsibility for what happened on Friday".He said as party leader he had to "take responsibility for what happened on Friday".
Labour secured 19% of the vote in the 2011 general election - that figure fell to 7% in the local and European elections.
Mr Gilmore was facing a no confidence motion from seven of his party TDs (Irish MPs) following their poor performance at the polls.Mr Gilmore was facing a no confidence motion from seven of his party TDs (Irish MPs) following their poor performance at the polls.
The motion was tabled for a parliamentary party meeting - a same motion was also due to go before Labour's central council.The motion was tabled for a parliamentary party meeting - a same motion was also due to go before Labour's central council.
Mr Gilmore said he had informed the general secretary of his decision on Monday morning. Mr Gilmore said he had informed Labour's general secretary of his decision on Monday morning.
He also met with his ministers on Monday to discuss the results.He also met with his ministers on Monday to discuss the results.
Mr Gilmore said the party and the government must now "move on to a new phase and look to the future".Mr Gilmore said the party and the government must now "move on to a new phase and look to the future".
SDLP leader Alasdair McDonnell told BBC Radio Ulster's Talkback programme he would be saddened if he resigned.SDLP leader Alasdair McDonnell told BBC Radio Ulster's Talkback programme he would be saddened if he resigned.
"He has made big efforts to support progress here and he'll be missed in that role," he said."He has made big efforts to support progress here and he'll be missed in that role," he said.
Sinn Féin's Conor Murphy said it would be "hugely significant" if Eamon Gilmore resigned. He said they had a disastrous election. Sinn Féin's Conor Murphy said it would be "hugely significant" if Mr Gilmore did resign. He said they had a disastrous election.