Simon Harris' options are limited after Simon Coveney departs from Cabinet

Gender and geography are always significant considerations when a Taoiseach selects his top team, but Mr Harris faces a severe lack of options to replenish the Cabinet benches, political editor Elaine Loughlin says

After the departure of Simon Coveney (right), incoming Taoiseach Simon Harris has a massive gaping Munster-shaped hole among his senior ranks. File picture: Sam Boal/Collins Photos

It may have come as less of a bombshell and more of a ripple, but Simon Coveney's departure from Cabinet will have significant implications for Fine Gael as a party.

It leaves incoming Taoiseach Simon Harris with a massive gaping Munster-shaped hole among his senior ranks, with no Fine Gael Cabinet minister in Kerry, Cork, Limerick, Waterford, Tipperary, or Clare.