Mick Clifford: Simon Coveney, the last merchant prince politician, leaves with solid work record

Stepping up in the midst of personal family tragedy, Simon Coveney showed off his safe but unspectacular hands while in Government

Incoming Taoiseach Simon Harris and Simon Coveney TD. Mr Coveney announced on Tuesday that he was stepping down from Cabinet. Picture: Sam Boal/Collins

Simon Coveney’s departure from frontline politics represents the end of an era, in which Cork’s merchant princes sent forward a member for public service.

Mr Coveney was drawn from this class of families which enjoyed inter-generational wealth, accumulated through business interests in the city.