Varadkar not drawn on likely Kenny heir

Health Minister Leo Varadkar has refused to acknowledge that Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney is a likely candidate to replace Enda Kenny as head of Fine Gael.

Mr Kenny was forced into announcing he would retire after the next general election, following remarks in the Irish Examiner by Government chief whip Paul Kehoe.

Mr Varadkar insisted he was too busy trying to “get a grip” on the health service to think about the leadership, as he declined to agree that he, Mr Coveney, and Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald were likely candidates to succeed the Taoiseach. He said anyone could “fall by the wayside” before Mr Kenny quits.