News | Latest Breaking News Stories & Headlines

The Government has appointed a go-to minister for Brexit issues in the form of Foreign Affairs Minister, Simon Coveney.

Firms not getting enough information on Brexit - survey

Four of five executives here say the Government is not providing adequate information to prepare for Brexit.

Business • 16 Jun 17

Leo Varadkar has appointed his leadership rival Simon Coveney as his deputy

Varadkar appoints Coveney as deputy Fine Gael leader

Leo Varadkar has chosen his beaten rival in the recent Fine Gael leadership contest as his deputy.

Politics • 13 Jun 17

Minister Coveney asked for a new expert report, headed up by the former chief planner for Scotland Jim Mackinnion

Plans to retain two Cork local authorities

Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government Simon Coveney has announced plans for the retention of two local authorities in Cork, but a significant expansion of the Cork City boundary.

Munster • 09 Jun 17

Leo Varadkar said that if the election had shown anything 'it is that prejudice has no hold in this Republic'

Varadkar outlines his priorities after winning election

New Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar has said his top policy priority would be getting agreement on Brexit, and also committed to holding a referendum on abortion next year, adding that he had no plans for an early election.

fine gael leadership • 03 Jun 17

Mr Coveney said he had not promised any jobs to people, should he become the next Taoiseach

Coveney optimistic of winning Fine Gael leadership race

Minister for Housing Simon Coveney has said that it is all still to play for in the Fine Gael leadership campaign and he is optimistic that he can still win.

Politics • 01 Jun 17

Leo Varadkar and Simon Coveney are contesting the leadership

Voting begins in Fine Gael leadership contest

Fine Gael members have begun voting on their next party leader with the result to be announced on Friday.

fine gael leadership • 29 May 17

More than 1,000 people attended the event in Cork this evening

Coveney and Varadkar trade jibes at final debate

The last of four hustings events to help members of Fine Gael to decide their next leader took place in Cork this evening.

Politics • 28 May 17

Leo Varadkar and Simon Coveney set out their stalls in the first of four consecutive nights of hustings

Varadkar bats off suggestion Coveney closing gap

Minister for Social Protection Leo Varadkar has dismissed suggestions Simon Coveney is closing the gap in the race to become the next leader of Fine Gael.

fine gael leadership • 26 May 17

Simon Coveney and Leo Varadkar are set for the first of four consecutive nights of hustings

Varadkar and Coveney go head-to-head in first FG debate

Several hundred members of Fine Gael are attending the first hustings involving the two contenders for the party leadership, Leo Varadkar and Simon Coveney, in Dublin tonight.

fine gael leadership • 26 May 17

Simon Coveney and Leo Varadkar are vying for the leadership of Fine Gael

'United Ireland' hot topic on FG campaign trail

Fine Gael leadership candidate Simon Coveney has appeared to correct a claim by Leo Varadkar about the party's position on a united Ireland.

fine gael leadership • 24 May 17

Leo Varadkar arriving at Leinster House this morning

Varadkar says he will continue to work with Coveney

Minister for Social Protection Leo Varadkar has said Minister for Housing Simon Coveney is someone for whom he has immense regard, who is very diligent, very serious and a very persistent politician.

fine gael leadership • 23 May 17

Simon Coveney said his rival's manifesto lacked costings for many policies

Coveney highlights lack of costings in rival's policies

Minister for Housing Simon Coveney has said he can see where a case can be made to ensure that vital services of the State are not disrupted during industrial disputes.

Politics • 22 May 17

Simon Coveney launched his policy priorities in Dublin this morning

Coveney says some ministers switched sides in FG race

Fine Gael leadership contender Simon Coveney has said that some ministers who pledged support to him, including some members of Cabinet, had switched sides over recent days.

Politics • 22 May 17

Simon Coveney trails Leo Varadkar in the leadership race

Coveney having 'no second thoughts' on leadership bid

A defiant Simon Coveney has told hundreds of supporters at his Fine Gael leadership rally in Cork that he is going to finish what he started.

Politics • 20 May 17

Leo Varadkar has won the support of more ministers today

Tánaiste declares for Varadkar in FG leadership race

Minister for Social Protection Leo Varadkar has established a commanding lead over Simon Coveney in the Fine Gael leadership contest, as he officially launched his campaign in Dublin today.

Politics • 20 May 17

Simon Coveney said a lot can happen in the leadership contest in a fortnight

Coveney vows to fight on despite support for Varadkar

Fine Gael leadership contender Simon Coveney has declared he will fight on, despite his rival, Leo Varadkar adding further high profile pledges of support today.

Politics • 19 May 17

The 'big two' in the leadership race, Leo Varadkar (L) and Simon Coveney

Micheál Lehane: Race was running before it started

All the early work has been done by the Varadkar and Coveney camps in the Fine Gael leadership race with several TDs and some Ministers likely to declare support in the next few days, writes RTÉ Political Correspondent Micheál Lehane.

Politics • 19 May 17

Fianna Fáil has said the Government needs to take political responsibility for these latest revelations

Govt TDs reiterate confidence in minister, commissioner

Government TDs and Ministers have reiterated their confidence in the Garda Commissioner and the Justice Minister following Sinn Féin claims that those seeking reform within the force are being blocked.

Politics • 12 May 17

Although a leadership contest has not officially begun, there is intensive campaigning by the two camps

Leadership poll gauges FG parliamentary party mood

Ahead of tomorrow's Fine Gael parliamentary party meeting, half of the parliamentary party has indicated to RTÉ News who they will vote for in a leadership contest.

Politics • 09 May 17

Shane Ross said getting involved in transport disputes would have been exactly the wrong thing to do

Ross claims Government doing well after slow start

Minister for Transport Shane Ross has said that after its first year the Government is doing well, despite some early hiccups.

Politics • 05 May 17

Simon Coveney said people are going to have to be patient

Coveney seeks legal clarity on water referendum bill

Minister for Housing, Planning, Community & Local Government Simon Coveney has said he will not be "bounced into" a holding a referendum on public water ownership.

Irish Water • 04 May 17

Enda Kenny intends to attend a European Council meeting at the end of April as Taoiseach

Kenny to deal with leadership at end of April

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said he will deal with the leadership issue after the EU Council meeting on 29 April.

News • 22 Mar 17

Mr Coveney said he would not be in favour of criminalising people who use too much water

Coveney 'confident' water issue can be resolved

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government Simon Coveney has said Fine Gael believes the way to deal with people who waste water is to send them a bill and not fine them or prosecute them in court.

News • 08 Mar 17

Fianna Fáil has submitted its policy paper on water to the Oireachtas committee

FF water paper: Refunds, no charges, no new meters

Fianna Fáil has said excessive water usage can be identified and curbed by using existing water framework and the use of district water meters.

News • 03 Mar 17

Nine stated a preference for Simon Coveney (L); 17 stated a preference for Leo Varadkar

FG parliamentary party considers options on leader

A poll conducted by RTÉ News has found that a large proportion of the Fine Gael parliamentary party has not yet decided or indicated who they will support for the leadership whenever a contest takes place, but that Leo Varadkar leads Simon Coveney in expressed preferences.

Politics • 21 Feb 17