The Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore has stepped down as Labour Party leader.

Eamon Gilmore said he made the decision last night.

This morning seven of his own Dáil deputies submitted a motion of no confidence in him ahead of Labour's Parliamentary Party meeting on Wednesday.

Eamon Gilmore said he will continue in politics and intends to contest the next general election in Dun Laoighre.

He said the Labour Party will now elect a new leader - and it will be up to the leader to negotiate any re-shuffle of portfolios on the Labour front bench with the Taoiseach.

He said Labour had paid the price of making difficult decisions in the local and European elections...