Irish leader Leo Varadkar resigned tonight after suffering a crushing defeat in a parliamentary vote.

No clear successor emerged from political wrangling today designed to decide who will lead the country following a near three-way tie in a general election two weeks ago.

Varadkar lost a vote to remain taoiseach today, and told parliament he would resign as a result. 

The Fine Gael party boss added he would stay on as caretaker leader after he tended his resignation to Irish President Michael Higgins.

He will be staying on as interim leader while the country's three main parties battle out deadlocked coalition talks after the inconclusive election.

Varadkar 'has this evening conveyed to the president his resignation from office,' the government said in a statement.