Irish Examiner view: Yet another senior figure steps back as Coveney announces his departure from politics 

The prospect of the next general election gets more and more interesting

Simon Coveney’s departure means a striking turnaround for a constituency which until recently had three heavyweight Cabinet ministers, for instance. File Picture: PA

Another politician announced his departure from the main stage this week — former tánaiste Simon Coveney, of Fine Gael, will not contest the next election. The Cork South Central representative has been a TD for 26 years.

As ever, such an announcement has local and national significance.