Fine Gael ministers confirm election intentions following Varadkar move

Spokespeople for ministers Helen McEntee, Simon Harris, and Heather Humphreys confirm they will stand for re-election

Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar told a meeting of his party this week that he will be asking all ministers and Oireachtas committee chairs to confirm they will be running in the next election.

Fine Gael ministers have confirmed they will be running in the next general election after Tánaiste Leo Varadkar set this as a condition for a ministerial position.

However, senior Fine Gael sources have said the upcoming reshuffle will be "conservative", with those close to Mr Varadkar highlighting how difficult it would be to demote senior Cabinet ministers, given the current numbers.