Simon Coveney denies that Fine Gael has drifted too far to the left

Enterprise Minister says it is 'a party of the centre'

Simon Coveney said Fine Gael is 'a party of the centre that has lots of different views'.

Simon Coveney has denied that Fine Gael has drifted too far to the left.

The enterprise minister was responding to criticism from his party colleague Michael Ring, who urged new leader Simon Harris to abandon plans for a bill which envisages harsher punishments for hate speech.