Simon Coveney breaks his silence to confirm interest in EU job

Simon Coveney said he is part of a discussion currently taking place within Government on Phil Hogan's successor. File picture: PA

There are now three senior politicians interested in being Ireland’s EU Commissioner as Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney has confirmed he is willing to take on the role.

Speaking in West Cork, Mr Coveney said he is not ruling himself out as a candidate but, he said, he would need to be convinced that he would add "significant value" to Ireland's chances of increasing its profile within the commission.