He will continue on as TD for Cork South Central.

The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment said that he had spoken to Fine Gael leader Simon Harris to inform him of his decision to not be considered for the upcoming cabinet reshuffle.

In a post on X, Minister Coveney said: "I’ll continue to work as a proud TD for Cork South Central and will of course actively support the Government in the Dáil."

Last week, Coveney said that he would be running in the next general election, but his newly announced departure from Cabinet indicates that is no longer the case.

The minister's stepping down is the second loss for Harris' cabinet, after Leo Varadkar announced his departure last week.

Simon Coveney announces he is stepping down from cabinet

Speaking on RTÉ's Today with Claire Byrne on Tuesday, March 2, Mr Coveney said that his decision would aid party renewal and bring forward new ideas.

Mr Coveney has been in his role as Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment since December 2022, previously serving as Tánaiste until June 2020.

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

He began serving as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in 2017, remaining in the role for five years. He had also served as Minister for Agriculture and Minister for Defence.

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