Thirty-eight-year-old Leo Varadkar could become Ireland’s prime minister in the next few weeks.
Mr Varadkar, a doctor of Indian heritage is the youngest child of Mumbai-born doctor, Ashtok Varadkar and Irish mother, Miriam Varadkar.
He is also Ireland’s first openly gay minister.
Mr Varadkar has been serving as Ireland’s social security minister in the Fine Gael minority government under PM Enda Kenny since May last year.
He has announced his candidacy for Fine Gael (Liberal-Conservative and Christian Democratic Party) leadership following Enda Kenny’s resignation.
Leo Varadkar has won support for his leadership bid from several senior cabinet members and a majority of his parliamentary colleagues have publicly backed him.
"I believe he has all of the qualities that we need at this point in time. He has a clarity of thinking. He gets to the root of issues, he’s courageous and confident about taking action. And he is very much a team player and he understands the challenges that Ireland faces now,” says cabinet colleague Frances Fitzgerald.
But Mr Varadkar recognises that he still has a long way to go.
"I am not counting my chickens. I am really humbled at the level of support I have received from my colleagues and I am really looking forward to the hustings and the debates," Mr Varadkar said.
Fine Gael, he said, was there to ensure that "we provide the leadership that’s true to their history and the principles as a party."
"Fine Gael must be a party that can win support from all parts of the country and people of all backgrounds. We seek to build a nation in which everyone has an equal chance to succeed and a second chance if they do not,” he said speaking at a campaign meeting."
He came out about his sexuality on his 36th birthday, in January 2015, after Ireland legalised same-sex marriage through a popular vote.
"It’s not something that defines me. I'm not a half-Indian politician, or a doctor politician or a gay politician for that matter. It’s just part of who I am, it doesn't define me, it is part of my character I suppose," Mr Varadkar said during an interview at the time.
He faces a challenge from housing minister Simon Coveney for the leadership position that is due to be decided on June 2.
The parliament will vote to choose the next prime minister a few days after the party leadership challenge is settled.
