The Irish deputy prime minister has stepped down over her involvement with a police whistleblower case . She resigned shortly before a motion of no confidence in her was due to be tabled in the Irish parliament , which , if successful , could have led to a general election . "There was a feeding frenzy, and it became impossible for her to get a fair hearing based on the full facts. " I believe it is necessary to take this step to avoid an unwelcome and potentially disastrous general election at this historically critical time , " said Fitzgerald , who defended her role in the Sgt Murphy affair . The Irish prime minister , Leo Varadkar , said he accepted her resignation with " deep regret " .
The Irish deputy prime minister has stepped down over her involvement with a police whistleblower case . She resigned shortly before a motion of no confidence in her was due to be tabled in the Irish parliament , which , if successful , could have led to a general election . " I believe it is necessary to take this step to avoid an unwelcome and potentially disastrous general election at this historically critical time , " said Fitzgerald , who defended her role in the Sgt Murphy affair . The Irish prime minister , Leo Varadkar , said he accepted her resignation with " deep regret " .