What happens next? Leo Varadkar's resignation triggers series of events

In a shock announcement that took many senior government figures by surprise, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced his resignation this Wednesday morning.

Already the wheels have begun to turn in the Fine Gael party mechanism to settle the question of his successor, as both leader of the party and leader of the country

What happens next?
Leo Varadkar will remain as Taoiseach and leader of Fine Gael until the party chooses his successor. 

The Fine Gael National Executive Council will meet this Wednesday night, March 20, to set the rules for a leadership contest which will conclude in time for the party's Ard Fheis on April 6.

This means Mr Varadkar will leave the office of Taoiseach when the Dáil returns after the Easter break on Tuesday, April 9.

He has not resigned his Dáil seat and will continue to serve as TD for the Dublin West constituency.

It is not entirely clear yet if there will be a contest or an agreed Fine Gael candidate.

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris is already being hailed as a likely candidate, but none have officially put their hand up.

Despite speculation and multiple calls from the opposition for a general election in the wake of the Taoiseach's resignation, Tánaiste Micheál Martin has insisted that the government still has a mandate and a Dáil majority and will serve a full term.