Ireland elects first gay prime minister Leo Varadkar

[OnDoutside]

10. Excerpts from Varadkar's speech

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/the-government-will-not-be-right-or-left-but-of-the-new-european-centre-leo-varadkar-is-officially-irelands-taoiseach-35825676.html

Leo Varadkar has been elected as Ireland's new Taoiseach by 57 votes to 50, with 47 abstentions.

"The country as we know it would not be here today if it was not for Enda Kenny," he said following the vote.


The Fine Gael leader, who now becomes the 14th Taoiseach, said he took his seat in the Dáil exactly 10 years to the day, today.

"For some politics is a bad word, but we've seen in some countries, and this one, that it can be a way to convince people that change is possible," he said


"Today was a demonstration of democracy in action. Something we sometimes take for granted.

"I hope through our acts and the progress we achieve, we can earn the trust of the people."


"If we want to inspire somebody to believe in your vision you have to appeal to their heart as well as their head.

"The Government I lead will not be of the Left or the Right. It will be of the new European centre. A Republic of opportunities."