After six years in office, Enda Kenny is today spending his final hours as Taoiseach.

Mr Kenny will chair his final cabinet meeting this morning and the busy agenda will likely be rounded off with him formally announcing his intention to resign today.

When the DÃ¡il resumes at 2pm he is expected to tell TDs and the nation he is stepping down.

This will likely be followed by short farewell speeches before the house adjourns and he travels to Aras an UachtarÃ¡n and resigns.

Attention will then turn to the election of his successor tomorrow and Leo Varadkar's announcement of his new Cabinet.

Many of the current ministers are expected to remain in place but change jobs.</s>Enda Kenny’s period of over six years and three months in the Department of Taoiseach will come to an end when his successor, Leo Varadkar, takes up office tomorrow. But today is all about Kenny.</s>Normal Dáil business has been suspended for the expected election of Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar as Taoiseach on Wednesday afternoon.

Enda Kenny stepped down on Tuesday after six years as Taoiseach, paving the way for Mr Varadkar’s elevation. Follow all of the events throughout the day here on our liveblog.

Midday: At midday, the Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl will take nominations for the position of Taoiseach. No other nominations are anticipated, but parties other than Fine Gael are entitled to put names forward.

Speeches will be invited from those nominating candidates and the nomination or nominations will be put to a vote.

2pm: Fianna Fáil has confirmed it will abstain in the vote on Mr Varadkar, scheduled for around 2pm, in line with the party’s “confidence and supply” arrangement to support the minority Fine Gael government.

Mr Varadkar is expected to be appointed with the support of some 58 TDs including Fine Gael, the Independent Alliance, two Independent Ministers and Independent TD Michael Lowry. The Dáil is then expected to be adjourned for some four hours.

This evening: Mr Varadkar will travel to Áras an Uachtaráin to collect his seal of office from President Michael D Higgins, who accepted Mr Kenny’s resignation at his residence in the Phoenix Park on Tuesday afternoon.

6pm: Mr Varadkar will return to the Dáil to announce his Cabinet at 6pm. He will enter the chamber with his senior Ministers. It should be clear from their positions on the front bench and proximity to Mr Varadkar, which roles some Ministers, such as the Tánaiste and perhaps new Minister for Finance, will hold.

Late: A vote will be held on the Cabinet before Mr Varadkar returns to Áras an Uachtaráin, accompanied by his Ministers this time. The Ministers will receive their seals of office from Mr Higgins and a so-called “family photograph” will be taken for posterity.</s>Elaine Loughlin looks at those who will be disappointed with new Taoiseach Leo Varadkar’s picks.

Perhaps the biggest loser, Ms Mitchell O’Connor is the only senior minister to have been demoted to a super-junior role. She had been in the key Department of Jobs under Enda Kenny’s government and it is understood she was quite upset when she was informed of her demotion by Mr Varadkar yesterday afternoon.

While she will still be able to attend cabinet each week, she will work under Education Minister Richard Bruton after being given special responsibility for Higher Education.

While Mr Coveney has been moved from Housing to Foreign Affairs and will be given special responsibility for Brexit, he missed out on the powerful position of Tánaiste. It is understood that the Cork South Central TD had lobbied strongly to be appointed Tánaiste on a number of occasions in recent days but in the end Frances Fitzgerald retained the role.

John Paul Phelan was a vocal back-bencher who out pressure on Enda Kenny and played a crucial role in drumming up support for Mr Varadkar during the leadership campaign. It had been widely expected that he would be rewarded with the much coveted role of Government chief whip. However, he remained empty-handed and on the backbenches as Mr Varadkar led his new Cabinet into the Dáil last night.

Others who may have be disappointed include Sean Kyne, Patrick O’Donovan and Pat Breen, three Ministers of State under Enda Kenny who had been tipped for promotion.</s>European leaders have marked the changing of the guard in Irish politics by welcoming new Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and championing the record of his now predecessor Enda Kenny, writes Political Correspondent Fiachra Ó Cionnaith.

In separate statements European Council president Donald Tusk and European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker noted the new leadership, saying Ireland’s priorities will remain those of the EU.

In a letter to Mr Varadkar after his Dáil election earlier today, Mr Tusk congratulated Ireland’s new leader and welcomed him into the EU leaders group.

"On behalf of the European Council, I would like to congratulate you on your appointment and wish you and your Government every success. Ireland is rightly admired for its strong economy, vibrant and open society, and stalwart commitment to Europe.

"Addressing its unique circumstances is a priority for the first phase of [Brexit] talks... and I am fully committed to working closely with you in this respect.

"I look forward to welcoming you to the European Council next week, where we will discuss security and defence; jobs; growth and competitiveness; migration; and external relations," he wrote.

In a separate letter sent out on Monday to Mr Kenny but only released this afternoon, European Commission president Mr Juncker said the Mayo TD was "shortly stepping down after a long and successful period at the helm" and described Ireland’s economic recovery under Mr Kenny as "remarkable".

"I wish to sincerely thank you for your contribution to the work of the European Union and you own unwavering support for the European project. I have enjoyed working with you on the range of challenges facing Ireland and the European Union.

"I wish you, Fionnuala and your family all the best for the future," he added.</s>Leo Varadkar was elected Taoiseach yesterday and immediately announced a Cabinet reshuffle in which he promoted several Fine Gael TDs to leadership positions.

Mr Varadkar also reconfigured some Government departments and made the Departments of Finance and Public Expenditure the responsibility of, Paschal Donohoe.

Ten years to the day since he entered the Dáil as a TD, Mr Varadkar succeeded Enda Kenny following a vote which he won by 57 to 50, with 45 TDs abstaining.

In his acceptance speech, he paid tribute to his predecessor whose leadership, he said, “enabled me to become an equal citizen in my own country only two short years ago and to aspire to hold this office – an aspiration which I once thought was beyond my reach, at least if I chose to be myself.”

The election of Mr Varadkar, who is 38-years-old, a gay man and the son of an immigrant from India, has made headlines around the world.

Declaring that he was “elected to lead but I promise to serve,” Mr Varadkar strongly recommitted himself to the Coalition arrangement with Independent TDs, supported by Fianna Fáil.

“The Government I will lead will be one of the new European centre, as we seek to build a republic of opportunity that is a republic in which every citizen gets a fair go and has the opportunity to succeed, and in which every part of the country has a chance to share in our prosperity,” Mr Varadkar told the Dáil after his election.

Later, Mr Varadkar returned from Áras an Uachtaráin for a series of phone calls with European leaders and meetings with his incoming Cabinet.

As expected, Mr Donohoe was given the additional responsibility for the Department of Finance, though the two departments will remain separate.

Simon Coveney, who Mr Varadkar made deputy Fine Gael leader after defeating him in the party leadership contest, becomes Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Charlie Flanagan moves from Iveagh House to the Department of Justice, and Frances Fitzgerald, who will stay on as Tánaiste, moves to the Department of Enterprise.

There were promotions to the Cabinet for Mr Varadkar’s campaign manager Eoghan Murphy, who takes the housing portfolio, for veteran Mayo TD Michael Ring, who becomes Minister for Community and Rural Affairs and for former chief whip Regina Doherty, who takes on the Taoiseach’s former role in the Department of Social Protection.

A new Department of Culture will succeed the Department of Arts and Heritage but Heather Humphreys will remain at the helm.

After much speculation that he was in line for the sack, Simon Harris was retained as Minister for Health and given responsibility for delivering a referendum on the Eighth Amendment next year.

Richard Bruton will remain in charge of the Department of Education.

Mr Varadkar signalled that he will seek to change Dáil rules that allow equal speaking time for small and large parties, a move that is likely to be fiercely resisted by the smaller parties and non-Government independents.

“It is important in a democracy to have diversity. However, democracy is also about proportionality,” Mr Varadkar said.

“Therefore, the equal right to speak must also apply to Ministers and backbenchers of this party and also members of the main Opposition party”.

The only loser in Mr Varadkar’s much-anticipated but cautious reshuffle was former minister for jobs Mary Mitchell O’Connor.

She loses her full Cabinet position in charge of a department but was appointed a super junior Minister in charge of higher education.

She will continue to sit at Cabinet but does not have a vote or command over a departmental budget.

Government sources said the delay in announcing the Cabinet line up was because Mrs Mitchell O’Connor had rejected an offer of a junior ministry in the Department of Justice, with responsibility for equality and law reform.

However, it is understood she declined that position and held a second meeting with Mr Varadkar which led to her new role. Sources close to Mr Varadkar said Ms O’Connor “made her dissatisfaction known”.

A number of Ministers of State including Sean Kyne and key backbenchers including John Paul Phelan were known to be deeply disappointed at the reshuffle last night. Mr Varadkar will announce his junior ministers next week.</s>Enda Kenny will resign as Taoiseach this afternoon, 6 years after being elected leader of the country.

He’ll announce his intentions to the Dáil – paving the way for Leo Varadkar to become Taoiseach.

Sean Defoe reports from Government Buildings where ministers have been arriving for Enda Kenny’s last cabinet meeting.

Simon Coveney was one of many ministers paying tribute this morning.

On what must be a bittersweet say for Enda Kenny, he was eager to deflect the limelight.

Asked as he walked away if it was a sad day the Taoiseach shouted back NO!

The focus now will turn to the Dáil chamber where Enda Kenny will announce he’s stepping down – and put the wheels in motion to elect Leo Varadkar as Ireland’s 14th Taoiseach tomorrow.</s>Leo Varadkar is set to be elected the youngest ever Taoiseach today - with an even smaller majority than Enda Kenny.

He'll be nominated by the Dáil this lunchtime, and will announce the members of his new cabinet this evening.</s>With the stage set for the swearing-in of Indian-origin Leo Varadkar as Ireland’s Prime Minister, his extended family in Maharashtra is ecstatic and plans to celebrate the momentous occasion.

“Our joy is boundless. But we have not made any formal celebration plans yet. But all relatives shall gather at our home this evening,” dancer Shubhada Varadkar, cousin of the Irish PM designate, told IANS on Wednesday morning.

Another cousin, Dipti Bhosale, said she was busy contacting all relatives of the joint family in Mumbai to join the festivities at the Borivali home which Varadkar visited in 2011 as an Irish Minister.

Similarly, separate plans are on in the family’s native Varad village in Sindhudurg district.

On Tuesday, outgoing Prime Minister Enda Kenny formally tendered his resignation to Irish President Michael D. Higgins, paving the way for Varadkar, 38.

Earlier on June 2, when Varadkar was elected leader of the ruling Fine Gael Party in Ireland, his joint family in Maharashtra had erupted into frenzied celebrations .

At that time, the cancer-survivor Shubhada told IANS how it was like “a dream come true” for her as she had virtually predicted in July 2016 that the medico-turned-politician would some day become the Prime Minister.

However, none of the family members could make it for the swearing-in from India as the time was too short for the journey.

“But we shall witness it and celebrate as if we are all physically present there,” she said.

Born on January 18, 1979, in Dublin, Varadkar’s Mumbai-born father was a medico who went to England in 1970 and married a nurse, Miriam, and settled in Ireland.

Varadkar joined Irish politics at 22 and became an MP five years later.

Whenever Varadkar and his parents visit India, there is day-long celebration, feasting and merrymaking by the joint family in Mumbai, mostly at the Borivali home.

The family is not so sure whether Varadkar will now be able to make it here owing to security and protocol considerations, but they look forward to his visit.

The Irish PM designate’s extended joint family in India comprises four uncles and five aunts, including Manohar Varadkar, 93, and Madhukar Varadkar, who are freedom fighters, and Avinash, 79, a former Indian Railway employee, and a host of cousins and their children.</s>Update 12.39pm: Taoiseach Enda Kenny has delivered a stark warning to Leo Varadkar at his final Cabinet meeting saying: "There is a huge difference in leading a country to running a Government department", writes Daniel McConnell, Political Editor.

Mr Kenny has concluded his final Cabinet meeting ahead of his resignation this afternoon.

According to sources, Mr Kenny was said to be businesslike throughout the entire Cabinet meeting.

It is understood at the end of the meeting, Mr Kenny said a few words to those present and he wished those remaining on in Cabinet well.

At the end of the meeting, Mr Kenny shook all the hands of the ministers present.

Outgoing Taoiseach Enda Kenny has chaired his last meeting of the Cabinet this morning ahead of his resignation this afternoon.

Sources have said warm tributes were paid to Mr Kenny from both Fine Gael and Independent ministers.

Outgoing Taoiseach Enda Kenny arrives at Government Buildings, Dublin, for his last day as Taoiseach.

Incoming Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is said to have led the tributes at the weekly gathering of ministers.

Warm tributes were also paid to Finance Minister Michael Noonan, who is also retiring from Cabinet.

Mr Noonan was a key player in securing the support of the Independent Alliance for the minority government a year ago and his influence among younger Fine Gael ministers was significant.

It is understood that a number of lighter moments were had at the meeting and the mood was âjovial enoughâ.

Michael Noonan, who is also retiring from Cabinet

âThere was no sense that Enda is being pushed here, even though he is. He has made peace with his exit it seemed,â said one source.

Both men were praised for their handling of the economic crisis and for their leadership of the country during difficult times.

Normal business in the DÃ¡il this afternoon is to be suspended to make way for Mr Kennyâs retirement speech and tributes from leading figures in the house.

The House will be adjourned to allow Mr Kenny travel to Aras an Uachtarain to present his seal of office to President Michael D Higgins.

It had been originally expected that the DÃ¡il would take nominations to replace Mr Kenny today but it was decided to delay that until tomorrow to allow the departing Taoiseach a dignified exit and to allow incoming Taoiseach Leo Varadkar a clear run.

Arriving at Government Buildings for the Cabinet meeting this morning, Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan praised Mr Kenny saying his legacy will be substantial.

Mr Flanagan said the Taoiseach had convened a "war cabinet" at a time of great difficulty and ensured the public finances were brought back to order.

Fianna FÃ¡il leader MicheÃ¡l Martin (pictured) has said he thinks he "probably will" miss the Taoiseach, because Mr Kenny had been his immediate opponent and they had had "many an encounter".

Speaking on RTÃ's Morning Ireland, Mr Martin said Mr Kenny was a courageous politician and described him as a patriot who had served his country well.

Mr Martin quipped that Mr Kenny was probably enjoying the moment and "smiling a little bit today" as he is being lauded as "the greatest leader since Brian Boru" just weeks after his own ministers were briefing journalists calling on him to go.

On his way into Cabinet this morning, Mr Kenny said he has been âproud and privilegedâ to serve as Taoiseach for so many years as colleagues paid tribute to him on his last day in office.

âWhile it may be a milestone for me personally, in the context of the country thatâs irrelevant,â he said.

âSo itâs business as usual. We have many challenges up ahead. Iâm proud and privileged to have been able to serve as Taoiseach for all these years.â

Asked as he entered Government Buildings if today was a sad day for him, he said: âNoâ.

It is understood that Mr Kenny used the early part of yesterday to clear out his desk and say goodbye to staff at Government Buildings.

Once that was completed, he hosted an informal lunch for his personal staff in Hugo's Restaurant on Merrion Row, just around the corner from his office.

Hugoâs operates as the virtual posh canteen for ministers and senior officials in Government Buildings and the two finance departments. It is also a favoured haunt of Labour leader and former Minister Brendan Howlin.

It is understood that last Thursday night at the Farmleigh state guest house in the Phoenix Park, there was a special government dinner and presentation from all the Cabinet members to Mr Kenny and also to outgoing Finance Minister Michael Noonan.

Then on Friday night there was a party in Government Buildings for Mr Kennyâs family and close personal friends, which went on late.

Mr Kenny is the longest serving Fine Gael Taoiseach and the first in his party to serve two consecutive terms in the highest political office.

His legacy will be marked by the turnaround in the economy, the country's exit from the bailout programme and the same sex marriage referendum.

However, his continued mishandling of several justice crises since 2014 have dogged his time in office and ultimately led to his departure from office.
Irish Taoiseach Enda Kenny makes his farewell address to Dáil Éireann, and will submit his resignation to President Michael D. Higgins after six years in office. It is expected that his successor, Leo Varadkar, will be elected by the Dáil to succeed him tomorrow.