The Minister for Health's decision to come out as a gay man will ‘inspire many others who would like to be open about who they are', the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network (GLEN) has said.

Speaking on RTÉ Radio on Sunday morning, Leo Varadkar said that he is a gay man and while this is not a secret, it is ‘not something that everyone would necessarily know'.

Minister Varadkar chose his 36th birthday to speak publicly about his sexuality for the first time.

He said that it was a weight off his shoulders and he wanted to assure people that he does not have any hidden agenda when it comes to the decisions he has to make in Government.

"I will make decisions according to what I believe is in the public interest and my own conscience. I won't be allowing my own background and my own sexual orientation to dictate the decisions that I make," he insisted.

Minister Varadkar is the first openly gay Cabinet minister and the second Fine Gael TD to announce that he is gay, after Jerry Buttimer in 2012.

Responding to the news, Deputy Buttimer tweeted that he was ‘glad I'm not the only gay in the village'.

Minister Varadkar went on to say that he does not believe he will ever be Taoiseach and does not believe he will still be in politics at the age of 51, as he ‘wants to do other things'.

GLEN said that it ‘saluted the courage of the Minister in talking openly about being a gay man'.

"Whether you are a cabinet minister or a young gay person doing your Leaving Certificate, it takes courage to talk openly about who you are. Minister Varadkar talking openly about being gay will be a very important source of support for LGBT people and for their parents and families," commented GLEN chairperson, Kieran Rose.

He noted that while there has been ‘huge progress' in Ireland over the last 20 years in relation to this issue, some people still face rejection by their loved ones if they come out.

"Minister Varadkar talking openly about being gay will help to further change Ireland so that nobody faces rejection because of who they are or who they love. His interview also sends a very strong signal that LGBT people can aspire to and achieve the highest political office in Ireland," Mr Rose added.