Simon Coveney: Two-horse race forced the party to reflect

A defeated Simon Coveney last night said his dogged determination to stay in the race to become Taoiseach forced his party to “look itself in the mirror” and address serious issues affecting the public.

The housing minister made the comment as he stressed he will back Taoiseach-in-waiting Leo Varadkar, he congratulated him on his success and said Fine Gael is “not in any way divided” after an “at times sparky” leadership race.

Speaking from the stage at the Mansion House in Dublin 6pm yesterday, as the formal election result was announced, Mr Coveney said the contest has been “a fantastic process and experience”.