Will there be a General Election after Leo Varadkar's resignation?

The Government has said there will be no General Election following Leo Varadkar's resignation as Taoiseach, despite calls from the opposition.

Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and the Green Party say that they do not expect today's announcement to trigger a general election, insisting they still have a mandate.

Leo Varadkar will stay on as TD for the Dublin West constituency, meaning the three-party coalition will maintain their Dáil majority.

Green Party leader Eamon Ryan stated that "in the interim, the important work of Government continues and the three coalition parties will continue to fulfil our mandate, just as we have done over the last three and a half years."

Opposition leaders however are calling for a general election in the wake of the Taoiseach's announcement this Wednesday lunchtime.

According to Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín, the office of Taoiseach has been "passed around like snuff at a wake without democratic mandate", and he called for an immediate general election.

Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik and Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns have both also called for a general election, with Ms Bacik saying that "now is the time for a change of government, not a change of Taoiseach".

Speaking after the Taoiseach's announcement however, Tánaiste Michael Martin stated it was his view that governments should go full term.

"That creates stability, it avoids short-term decision making and it gives a better policy focus than a short-term electoral run," he said.

"That is why I've been absolutely steadfast and consistent on this since the beginning of this government that it should go full term and that remains my position."

He continued that it is new and it is unprecedented in many ways, "but it has happened before where taoisigh have been elected mid-stream in different Dáils", and in his view the government have a clear mandate and a clear programme for Government.