Simon Coveney strives to win back support from Leo Varadkar

A defiant Simon Coveney is to make a major drive to convince party colleagues to switch their support from Leo Varadkar to him.

Mr Coveney has revealed that ministers and TDs had pledged their support to him but changed their mind based on backing a winner as the Varadkar campaign gained momentum.

The housing minister, who unveiled his policy document in Dublin yesterday, is convinced that his proposals, coupled with his performance at the upcoming hustings, can win a number of his Cabinet colleagues back and will earn support among councillors and grassroots members.