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Irish education minister Simon Harris is elected as Leader of Fine Gael following the resignation of Leo Varadkar. At age 37, Harris will become Ireland's youngest ever Taoiseach upon taking office.
2024-03-24

Taoiseach Micheál Martin announces that Ireland will move to Level Five for a period of six weeks. The new restrictions will take effect at midnight on October 21 and remain in place until December 1. Under Level Five restrictions, non-essential business will close, people will only be able to exercise within 5 km of their homes except for essential reasons, and no social or family gatherings are allowed in homes or gardens. However, schools and creches are to remain open, and elite sporting events can take place.
2020-10-19

Following long negotiations, the new Irish government is voted into office by Dáil Éireann. The government is formed after a historic coalition deal between Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party. Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin takes office as Taoiseach (Prime Minister), with outgoing Taoiseach Leo Varadkar as Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister), due to return to the post in December 2022 as part of the coalition deal.
2020-06-27

The Republic of Ireland's Taoiseach Leo Varadkar extends stay-at-home coronavirus restrictions until May 5.
2020-04-10

Ireland suspends all schools, colleges and childcare facilities until March 29 in response to the coronavirus, while indoor gatherings of more than 100 people and outdoor gatherings of more than 500 people should be cancelled until further notice, according to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.
2020-03-12

The 33rd Dáil Éireann meets for the election of the Taoiseach (head of government) and Ceann Comhairle (speaker of parliament).Seán Ó Fearghaíl of Fianna Fáil is re-elected as Ceann Comhairle. No candidate for Taoiseach attains the 80 votes required to form a government. The Dáil adjourns until March 5. [https:--www.rte.ie-news-politics-2020-0220-1116469-ireland-politics- "(RTÉ)"]Incumbent Taoiseach Leo Varadkar offers his resignation to President Michael D. Higgins, but will remain as Taoiseach in a caretaker capacity until the formation of a new government. [https:--news.sky.com-story-ireland-taoiseach-leo-varadkar-resigns-after-inconclusive-election-result-11939114 (Sky News)]The 33rd Dáil Éireann meets for the election of the Taoiseach (head of government) and Ceann Comhairle (speaker of parliament).
2020-02-20

Leo Varadkar becomes the new party leader of Fine Gael, after winning 51 of 73 votes in the parliamentary party, and is expected to become Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of Ireland, which would make him the youngest and first openly gay man to be Taoiseach, as well as being the first of half-Indian descent.
2017-06-2

Irish politicians respond to High Court Judge Paul Carney's order that a man who plead guilty in court to repeatedly raping his daughter as a child be granted bail and provisional released. Taoiseach Enda Kenny comments on a nation "filled with revulsion" at the outcome of the case, while opposition politician Gerry Adams refers to abuse his father inflicted on others.
2013-01-22

A bomb explodes in Omagh, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, killing one, hours after around 2,000 participants in a half marathon pass by. The incident evokes memories of the 1998 Omagh bombing, while taoiseach Enda Kenny (Republic of Ireland) accuses the perpetrators of "acting in defiance of the Irish people".
2011-04-2

Ireland's Fine Gael Deputy Leader and Finance Spokesperson Richard Bruton, brother of former Taoiseach John Bruton, is sacked after publicly declaring his lack of confidence in Fine Gael's leader Enda Kenny.
2010-06-14