The Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald has officially resigned from her position this afternoon.
According to RTÉ News Ms Fitzgerald tendered her resignation shortly after 12pm this afternoon in an effort to halt a potential General Election.
Ms Fitzgerald who has been the subject of widespread scrutiny over the past week, said she decided to resign as it was in the best interests of the the country and its people.
In a brief statement released in the last hour the former justice minister said her decision was necessary in ordervto avoid an unwelcome and potentially destabilising general election.
Ms Fitzgerald whose future was put into doubt last week over her alleged involvement in the Maurice McCabe whistle-blower fiasco also revealed she was not forced to resign and that she decided to do so under her own free will.
The Tánaiste’s decision will now spark a week of political debate in the Dáil as Fianna Fáil and other opposition parties will look to seek clarification on the Tánaiste’s resignation.