Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Simon Coveney has said the "time was right" after he announced that he will step down from the Cabinet when the Dáil resumes next week.
In a post on X, Mr Coveney said he spoke to new Fine Gael leader Simon Harris last night to inform him of his decision.
"I'll continue to work as a proud TD for Cork South Central and will of course actively support the Government in the Dáil," Mr Coveney said.
Last night I spoke to @SimonHarrisTD to inform him that I would not be making myself available to serve in cabinet when the Dáil resumes next week. I'll continue to work as a proud TD for Cork South Central and will of course actively support the Government in the Dáil.
— Simon Coveney (@simoncoveney) April 2, 2024
Speaking on RTÉ's Today with Claire Byrne, Mr Coveney said he did not know whether he would have been asked to be in Mr Harris' Cabinet, but it would make life easier for the new party leader if he stepped down.
He said the move would aid party renewal and would bring forward new ideas.
"I respect the fact he's made it clear that he wants to create a new-look Fine Gael in many ways, to promote new talent in the party," Mr Coveney said.
He added: "I know he was struggling with the decision in relation to who'd be in and who'd be out, and I think that for me being in the Cabinet, which has been an amazing experience for 13 years, I felt that the time was right both from his point of view and mine for him to give him the space to create new opportunity in the party.
"One of the most difficult things for an incoming party leader and Taoiseach is to form a team that can slot into government well, particularly in an election year.
"I totally respect that that’s a really difficult decision for Simon [Harris], he's going to be the youngest Taoiseach ever.
"He's a really talented person, I think he'll want to bring forward new idea and energy in the party and I think he’ll want to bring a team with him to do that."
"I think it's also a recognition by me too that Fine Gael needs renewal. We're going to go into the next general election hoping to be in government for a fourth term," he said.
Mr Coveney added: "I think a party needs to find a way of renewing itself, refreshing itself, bringing forward, new faces, new voices, new ideas. In many ways, when Leo Varadkar decided to step down a couple of weeks ago, he started that process.
The Enterprise Minister @simoncoveney has announced that he will not be putting his name forward for Cabinet next week. @rtenews pic.twitter.com/r46ZNzGGso
— Paschal Sheehy (@PaschalSheehy) April 2, 2024
"I've had a chance to think about it from a personal point of view, over Easter with my family, and for me. I've had an amazing 13 years at the centre of government and I think we've got lots of ambitious talent in the party and I'm going to make it a bit easier.
"It may have happened, anyway, I don't know. But I make it a bit easier for Simon to promote that talent now."
Asked whether he will run in next election, Mr Coveney appeared undecided, saying that it was "not for this week".
He added: "I'm a committed TD for Cork South-Central and will continue for foreseeable future."
"It's not a yes, or it’s not a no, it’s me just being honest about it. I have to decide what the future holds for me and how I can contribute," Mr Harris said.
"That’s something I’m not going to rush. It’s something, to be honest, I haven’t really thought about really because I’ve been so focused and busy with the various the jobs I’ve been lucky to have," he added.
Mr Coveney has been Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment since December 2022.
He previously served as Tánaiste for over two-and-a-half years from late November 2017 until June 2020.
He was appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in 2017, and remained in the role for five years, during which he helped navigate Brexit negotiations and the Covid-19 pandemic.
He was appointed as Minister for Agriculture in 2011, serving in the role until 2016, and also served as Minister for Defence for two years.
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The Fine Gael leader said he has seen "very few people more dedicated to public service and proud of Ireland and the EU" than Mr Coveney.
Mr Harris described him as "a pivotal figure in Fine Gael, and his announcement that he will step down from Cabinet next week will not change that.
"I look forward to working with him, but for today, I want to thank Simon for his service and his friendship."
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said Mr Coveney was a "trusted colleague" throughout his entire period in the Dáil and in Government.
In a post on social media, he said: "I was blessed to have him as my Deputy Leader, Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs. This was particularly so on Brexit and our successful campaign for a seat on the UN Security Council and our policies to increase the budget for international development and our diplomatic footprint.
"He’s one of the hardest working and most loyal people I have ever had the privilege of working with. His decision to create more space for a new generation of Fine Gael leadership to step up is admirable. I look forward to continuing to work with him as a member of the parliamentary party."
Sinn Féin has said that the resignation of Simon Coveney from Cabinet indicates that even Ministers themselves to do not faith in the Government.
Enterprise spokesperson Louise O'Reilly said: "We need a general election. We need a Government for change. A Government which has a mandate from the people, not more of the same."
