'I've loved almost every day': Simon Coveney will not contest next general election
The longtime TD confirmed his intention to not stand again at the next general election in a letter to the Fine Gael organisation in Cork South Central this morning. Picture: RollingNews.ie
Former Tánaiste Simon Coveney has confirmed that he will step down as a Fine Gael TD for Cork South Central at the next general election.
The longtime TD confirmed his intention to not stand again in a letter to the Fine Gael organisation in Cork South Central on Wednesday.
Mr Coveney wrote that throughout his political career, he "tried to do what's right for Cork, for the country that I love and for our party that I've given my working life to since the age of 25".
He said he came to the view "some time ago that it's time for me to step out of politics at the next election", saying it was an "extraordinary privilege" to serve his constituency for 26 years.
"I hope you can respect my decision to seek new horizons in life outside of Dáil Éireann," Mr Coveney wrote.
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"I've loved almost every day of public life. I've had opportunities in politics that I could never have dreamt possible before 1998; as a councillor, a TD, a Minister and as Tánaiste.
"It's a career that's taken me to every corner of the world, from the Oval Office to refugee camps in Gaza, from Belfast to Brussels, from Kiev to the Kremlin, from Turners Cross to Crosshaven and so much more."
Mr Coveney thanked voters from Cork South Central for backing him over the last 26 years, saying he has "always tried to deliver for them and make them proud".
The former Fine Gael minister also flagged the impact of Simon Harris as the new party leader, saying that the party's organisation has been invigorated at "every level".
As first reported by the Irish Examiner last week, it is expected that there will be six candidates up to replace him in Cork South Central, including former MEP candidate for Ireland South, John Mullins.
Taoiseach Simon Harris paid tribute to Mr Coveney as both a colleague and a very good friend.
Mr Harris fully understands and respects Mr Coveney's decision not to run in the next election, saying that the announcement does not come as a surprise to many people.
"He has made a real impact on Ireland," said Mr Harris. "I think any fair analysis of Simon Coveney and his time in public life will arrive at that conclusion."
The Fine Gael leader said, for him, Mr Coveney's political legacy will always be how he "helped to protect Ireland and our national interests during Brexit". Mr Harris said that even political foes of the former minister would acknowledge that point.
People will be "lining up" to replace Mr Coveney in Cork South Central thanks to the outgoing TD's "excellent work", Mr Harris said.
Tánaiste and fellow Cork TD Micheál Martin also paid tribute to Mr Coveney who he has worked alongside for the past 25 years.
Mr Martin said Mr Coveney had the interests of Cork at heart.
"Simon had a strong commitment to public life and to improving society," Mr Martin told Shannonside FM.
"I think he did that in many portfolios, as a TD and a member of the European Parliament for a period and as a government minister for an extended period and I wish him well."
In April, Mr Coveney stepped down from Cabinet following the shock resignation of Leo Varadkar. He had been serving as Enterprise Minister.
Mr Coveney, who was deputy leader of Fine Gael from 2017 until April 2024, has previously had portfolios in housing, defence, agriculture and foreign affairs.
He was first elected to the Dáil in 1998 after a by-election caused by the death of his father. He was elected to the European Parliament in 2004 before being returned to the Dáil in 2007.
In 2017, following Enda Kenny's resignation, Mr Coveney entered into a leadership contest with Mr Varadkar. He was defeated in that contest but was appointed deputy leader of the party.
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