Cork politicians react following Coveney's announcement he won't contest election 

Tánaiste Micheál Martin today praised his constituency colleague and rival Simon Coveney after the Fine Gael TD announced he will not contest the next general election.

“Since the days of his father Hugh, the Coveney family has given outstanding public service to the people of Cork, and I’ve been working with Simon as a TD for Cork South Central now for 25 years,” Mr Martin told The Echo.

“I worked with him in Government for the last four years and he has always been a strong advocate for Cork, so I wish him well in terms of his retirement, and I think he’s garnered a lot of experience throughout his political life, which I think will be of good use to the community in the time ahead.”

The Tánaiste and Mr Coveney have not always seen eye-to-eye politically, but Mr Martin said his constituency colleague had always put the good of Cork first.

“We were political opponents, and we represent two separate parties, two separate political traditions, but in Cork South Central, there was always a tradition of crossing the aisle, if you like, or uniting to advocate in the best interests of Cork,” said Mr Martin.

“I can remember the late Toddy O’Sullivan, Pearse Wyse, and others, there was a tradition where you’d put party positions to one side to advocate for particular projects for Cork, whether it was investment in Cork Airport, or the Port of Cork, these were issues that we were always in a position to work together on.”

Nominations for the local Fine Gael convention which will decide the party’s candidates in Cork South Central close this Friday, and while senior Coalition figures all insist the current Government will run its full term with the next general election in the spring, there has been much speculation that a giveaway budget at the beginning of October will fire the starting pistol for an autumn election.

Asked if he was planning an early retirement from politics himself, the Tánaiste laughed and said he was not.

“I’m busy getting ready for the next general election,” Mr Martin said. “Whenever that happens.”

Following his announcement today, many lauded Mr Coveney’s handling of the Brexit negotiations, including Taoiseach Simon Harris.

“He has served his constituency, his party and his country with distinction,” Mr Harris said.

“Most particularly his contribution to protecting our national interest during Brexit is an outstanding legacy.”

'Motivation'

Green Party councillor Dan Boyle, Lord Mayor of Cork, said he wished Mr Coveney well in his future.

“I contested with him the Dáil by-election that saw him enter public life in 1998, and went on to serve with him in the Oireachtas,” Mr Boyle said.

“His motivation towards serving the people of Cork South Central was always apparent.”

'Sacrifices'

Senator Jerry Buttimer, Cathaoirleach of the Seanad, congratulated and thanked Mr Coveney for his “incredible commitment and dedication to public life”, adding: “I want to thank him and his family, in particular, his wife Ruth for the many sacrifices they have made, especially since 2011 when he served in Cabinet.”

Former lord mayor of Cork, south-east ward councillor Des Cahill, said he had worked with Mr Coveney since he was first elected in 1998 and he said that while he would be missed, he had more than earned his retirement.

“Twenty-six years is a long time in public life, and it’s going to be very strange without him,” he said.

Shane O’Callaghan, Fine Gael councillor for Cork City South Central, said Mr Coveney will go down in history as “one of the best foreign ministers we have ever had, particularly as a result of his deft handling of the Brexit negotiations”.

John Mullins, who was unsuccessful running for Fine Gael in Ireland South in last month’s European elections, said that Mr Coveney had been “a fabulous public representative for Cork and for this country”.

Mixed reaction from opposition TDs

There was mixed reaction from opposition TDs. Sinn Féin TD Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire said despite many political disagreements, “I have always found him a thoroughgoing gentleman”.

He added: “He has given many years of public service and undoubtedly leaves a political legacy; his work on Brexit being particularly important, as well as much work in Enterprise and other departments.”

People Before Profit-Solidarity TD Mick Barry said he believes Fine Gael champions the interests of business and those in the upper echelons of society, and that Mr Coveney typified this. “Fine Gael are a party which champions the interests of business and the well-to-do and there’s no doubt that Simon Coveney was a consummate Fine Gael politician,” the Cork North Central TD said.

Mr Barry was less than complimentary about the political legacy Mr Coveney leaves behind, saying he believed the Cork South Central TD will not be remembered fondly by people “at the sharp end of the housing crisis”, asserting that the Rebuilding Ireland plan launched by Mr Coveney when he was housing and planning minister had “failed disastrously”.