Irish deputy PM tenders resignation to avoid early elections – minister

Irish Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe confirmed to national broadcaster RTÉ that Deputy Prime Minister Frances Fitzgerald has tendered her resignation, Reuters reports. The resignation was announced at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday. Fitzgerald’s resignation, which she also confirmed in a statement minutes later, has likely averted a government collapse and snap election. The prospect of early elections had threatened to complicate Brexit talks next month between Britain and the European Union.