One of Ireland's most prominent politicians has become the traditionally Catholic country's first openly homosexual cabinet minister.
Leo Varadkar Photo: AFP
Minister for Health Leo Varadkar has spoken about his sexuality during a national television interview.
Mr Varadkar, who was born in Dublin to an Indian father and Irish mother, said he would be campaigning in favour of same-sex marriage before a referendum in May and wanted to be honest with people.
He also said he wanted to be an equal citizen in his own country.
The 36-year-old has been tipped as a possible future prime minister.
Polls indicated the Irish were likely to vote in favour of same-sex marriage in the referendum, which followed the introduction of civil partnerships in 2011.
Ireland legalised homosexual acts more than twenty years ago.
