Simon Coveney stepping down from Irish cabinet

Simon Coveney was a prominent figure during the Brexit negotiations

Simon Coveney is stepping down from the Irish cabinet when the Daíl (Irish parliament) resumes next week.

The minister for enterprise, trade and employment said he had informed Simon Harris, who is expected to become the next taoiseach (prime minister).

Mr Coveney was a prominent figure during the UK-EU Brexit negotiations.

He said his decision would "bring forward new faces and new ideas" to the cabinet.

Speaking to Irish broadcaster RTÉ, he said, "I don't know if he was going to ask me to be part of cabinet or not but it makes life easier for him.

"It's recognition by me that Fine Gael needs renewed."

The Cork South-Central TD said he would remain as a member of parliament and added he had an "amazing 13 years" at the heart of Ireland's coalition government.

As tánaiste (deputy prime minister) and foreign affairs minister, Mr Coveney was a frequent visitor to Northern Ireland during talks about the future post-Brexit trade arrangements.

Energised but confronted

Simon Coveney took part in many talks about Brexit and Northern Ireland

When Taoiseach Leo Varadkar unexpectedly resigned in March, there had been speculation that Mr Coveney would also stand aside.

"When Leo rang me the night before and told me he was going to step down, it took a lot of people by surprise, including me, but it started a chain of events for Fine Gael.

"The party needs to renew all the time. When there is significant change created, then everyone needs to reflect on their own position and that's what I've done," he added.

"My reasons are a little different, I'm as energised as I've always been, but I think you're confronted with choices in life," he said.

"We've had a political earthquake in the last two weeks. It's time for the party to promote talent."