Coveney warns of bitter FG split but leadership rival says party will be ‘united’

Simon Coveney has warned of a potential bitter split within Fine Gael when the leadership contest begins.

While Taoiseach Enda Kenny has yet to set a firm date for his departure, Mr Coveney, the housing minister, has said he expects a new leader to be in place before the summer.

He said “the big challenge” for Fine Gael is to remain united as the party “can’t afford” to splinter or engage in in-fighting in the coming months.