Leo Varadkar will take over as taoiseach on December 17.
He will replace Micheál Martin as part of an agreement between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil when the coalition between two parties was formed in June 2020, this following the general election in February that year.
Mr. Varadkar has previously served as taoiseach for three years.
Speaking on the Indo Daily podcast, Mr. Varadkar said that he will not enter a coalition with Sinn Féin in the future.
“I don’t think we can have a taoiseach in this country who is unable to say that the killing of innocent children, guards, prison officers, members of defense forces, is not a crime,” he said.
“If she (Mary Lou McDonald) wants to say it was a war and they were war crimes, fair enough, but she has to be able to say that.
“We will not consider coalition with Sinn Féin. Oil and water doesn’t mix. It’s not just about the past, although those issues are important. It’s more about the future.”
During his Ard Fheis speech to Fine Gael members last month, Mr. Varadkar set out his priorities for his term as taoiseach.
“In the next two years in government, we will do what needs to be done,” he said. “Protecting the squeezed middle and vulnerable from increased living costs. Putting more money back in your pocket.
“Accelerating action on housing to ensure that people in their twenties and thirties can own their own homes again. Delivering for rural Ireland and farmers.
“Building stronger and safer communities. And providing the very best start for every child.”
“With our partners in Fianna Fáil and the Green Party, this will be our direction of travel based on our agreed Programme for Government.”
A Cabinet reshuffle will also take place on December 17, with Taoiseach Micheál Martin swapping roles with Mr. Varadkar and becoming Tánaiste, or deputy prime minister.
