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ALEX WHITE HAS effectively conceded the leadership of the Labour Party ahead of the expected confirmation of Joan Burton in the role later this afternoon.
“This is Joan’s day. Joan is the 11th leader of the Labour party and I look forward to working with her in the future,” White told reporters in Dublin this afternoon.
The junior health minister said that he is “now looking forward to working with Joan”.
On the subject of whether he was expecting a Cabinet post in the wake of the 2-person leadership contest, he said “that is entirely a matter for Joan Burton”.
“I did enter this election contest to address an agenda for renewal and the rebuilding of the party. I think that we’ve had an excellent engagement with the members right across the party.”
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Arriving at the Mansion House ahead of the official confirmation of the result, Burton said she was “delighted” at the trust the Labour Party had shown in her and that she now looked forward to winning the trust of “the people in the country”.
“Ireland is a wonderful country. My job is to make it better for everybody,” she said.
She said White had called her earlier in the afternoon to wish her well and to offer his support.
On whether he could expect a Cabinet job, she said nothing had been decided and “decisions will really come next week”.
She also paid tribute Eamon Gilmore, who officially resigned as Tánaiste earlier this afternoon.
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- additional reporting from Hugh O’Connell
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