Speculation on Simon Coveney's future ahead of cabinet reshuffle

Many in the party now believe Mr Coveney will not be putting himself forward for re-election in Cork South Central

Enterprise Minister Simon Coveney ruled himself out of the leadership last Wednesday.

Speculation is mounting around Simon Coveney's future with a cabinet reshuffle expected when Simon Harris takes over as taoiseach.

Senior Fine Gael members have suggested that if Mr Coveney is dropped as enterprise minister, it would leave a geographical hole in Munster which could see Kerry's Brendan Griffin offered a cabinet position on the basis that he runs in the next general election.

He is among a number of prominent TDs, including Paul Kehoe, who have said they will not run again for election but are now being strongly lobbied by constituency organisers and members of the parliamentary party to reconsider under the new leader. 

Sources have suggested that Mr Griffin could be rewarded with the chief whip position or the rural affairs brief if he does change his mind.

Mr Kehoe, who is seen as close to Mr Harris, has so far indicated that he has made the decision to retire and will not be returning.

Ciaran Cannon, who announced his departure just hours before Mr Varadkar, is also being urged to run in the next election, but John Paul Phelan has made it clear that he will not be changing his decision.

With Mr Harris now due to be formally appointed as party leader on Sunday, his first task will be to select a new set of Fine Gael ministers.

Simon Harris's first task will be to select a new set of Fine Gael ministers. Picture: Leah Farrell 

Junior minister Peter Burke has been described a "certainty" to get a promotion to cabinet.

"I would be shocked if he wasn't first on the list," one party member said.

Mayo TD Alan Dillon is also in the mix for promotion, while it has been suggested that Minister of State Jennifer Carroll MacNeill could be elevated to cabinet.

Many in the party now believe that Mr Coveney will not be putting himself forward for re-election in Cork South Central.

One source said that his statement ruling himself out of the leadership race on Wednesday was a clear indication that he wants to leave politics.

Speaking to RTÉ radio, Mr Coveney said that there is "a lot of ambition in Fine Gael" and that "lots of people want to be in the cabinet".

Asked if he wants to be in Mr Harris's cabinet, he said that he "wasn't getting into that".

"Any conversations I have with Simon Harris will be had in private. 

"I'm not going to start lobbying publicly."

A number of outgoing TDs including Richard Bruton, Fergus O'Dowd, and David Stanton all told The Irish Examiner they would not be reconsidering their departures on foot of the new regime.

However, speculation is mounting about former TD Kate O'Connell. 

While she previously said she would never again run for the party under Mr Varadkar's leadership, Mr Harris may try to coax her back.

It comes after Mr Harris was served his first blow on Friday when junior education minister Josepha Madigan resigned and announced that she will not contest the next election.

Ms Madigan said she told Taoiseach Leo Varadkar her plans last summer. 

She said that despite many conversations, she has not changed her mind.