Coveney confirms he will run in next general election

By Jonathan McCambridge, PA

Fine Gael deputy leader Simon Coveney has confirmed he will run again as a candidate in the next general election.

Appearing in Athlone, flanked by party ministers, Mr Coveney also said that Cabinet choices will be down to new leader Simon Harris.

Amid speculation over his political future, Mr Coveney was asked if he intended to run again in the next election.

“Yes, I am,” he said.

Asked if he believed current Fine Gael ministers would stay in post, Mr Coveney said: “This is a decision for Simon (Harris).

“He is going to have a lot on his mind over the next few weeks. He needs to be given the space to do that.

“He has a good relationship with all the ministers in this room and some of the people who’d like to be ministers too.

“I am sure he will speak to them all and make his own decisions.”

Mr Coveney said the new leader had secured the party leadership in a comprehensive way after nominations closed on Sunday.

He added: “I’ve already been speaking to Simon over the last few days.

“I think he’s done a really good job in securing the leadership in as comprehensive a way as he has.”

He added: “I think this is going to be a really good change for Fine Gael.

“It’s an opportunity for renewal, for new talent to emerge in the party.

“And I think Simon’s going to manage that really well.”

Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee said: “It is the prerogative of any taoiseach of the day to decide what their cabinet is or make any changes that they want.

“I have a lot of work still to do in justice, but that is very much a decision for the taoiseach.”