Irish deputy PM steps down ahead of no-trust vote

Dublin, Nov 28 :Ireland's deputy Prime Minister Frances Fitzgerald agreed to resign on Tuesday over the handling of a police whistleblowing scandal, thwarting a motion of no confidence against her that could have toppled the minority government of Indian-origin leader Leo Varadkar and triggered a snap election.

Prime Minister Varadkar confirmed his deputy would stand down in a phone call to opposition leader, Fianna Fail's Micheal Martin, whose party threatened to bring down Ireland's government over the affair.

Varadkar, Ireland's youngest Prime Minister at 38, is said to have accepted Fitzgerald's resignation just hours before members of Ireland's lower chamber, the Dáil, were due to vote on the no-confidence motion tabled by Fianna Fáil, which props up the conservative Fine Gael government, the media reported.

Fitzgerald found herself engulfed by a scandal stemming from accusations she had ignored warnings that a smear campaign had been launched against whistleblower Sgt Maurice McCabe of the Garda (Irish police) whom she had defended during her time as Justice and Equality Minister between 2014-16.

McCabe had highlighted issues relating to corruption in the Garda.

Speaking in the Dáil on Tuesday, Varadkar said he had advised the President to accept her resignation. He said he will take over her brief as Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation for a short time.

The first openly gay Prime Minister said he had accepted Fitzgerald's resignation with deep regret and said a good woman was leaving office without getting a fair hearing.

He said he expects Fitzgerald "to continue to play a full role in political and public life, including at the highest level into the future".

Varadkar described her as "one of the most reforming ministers we have ever had".

Varadkar had until 8 p.m. on Tuesday to find a solution to the deepening crisis in Dublin or face the prospect of a repeat general election in December at a time when a strong government is needed ahead of looming challenges such as Brexit.

Fianna Fáil initially entered a supply and confidence deal with Fine Gael on the understanding that they would refrain from no-confidence motions.

Fine Gael bemoaned the no-confidence plot against Fitzgerald as political opportunism that threatened national stability at a crucial time.

Varadkar has likely diverted crisis elections that risked overshadowing the crucial EU Council showdown in mid-December by losing Fitzgerald.

Next month's gathering of all EU leaders will decide if sufficient progress to kick off Brexit trade talks has been made over the Irish border problem.

Varadkar is due to play a major role in the Brexit talks, telling EU leaders whether Ireland believes sufficient progress has been made on the future border between EU-member Ireland and Britain's province of Northern Ireland.