A lot of people didn’t like him but I wasn’t one of them; very sad to see him go.

Blog: Today at 3.30pm Deputy Pat Rabbitte in front of a packed out press conference announced his intention to stand down as leader of the Labour Party effective immediately.

Statement: I am today announcing my decision to step down as Leader of the Labour Party with immediate effect. In national politics the only cycle that matters is from Dáil to Dáil. My six year term as Party Leader runs to October 2008. My staying on for another year would only make sense if I intended contesting a second term. It is not my intention to do so. Therefore at the beginning of the lifetime of a new Dáil is the opportune time to elect a new Leader and allow him or her find their feet before Local and European Elections.