Simon Coveney named new Irish deputy PM after whistleblower scandal
Ireland's foreign minister is the new deputy PM after a police whistleblower scandal forced Frances Fitzgerald to quit this week.
Thursday 30 November 2017 14:14, UK
Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar has appointed his foreign affairs minister, Simon Coveney, as his new deputy premier.
It follows the resignation of Frances Fitzgerald over claims she was aware of a campaign to smear a whistleblowing police officer that could have brought down the country's minority government.
Announcing her replacement on Thursday, Mr Varadkar described Mr Coveney as "very conscious of the important role he plays as Minister of Foreign Affairs, as minister responsible for Brexit".
He added: "I believe his appointment as Tanaiste and deputy prime minister will enhance his position in representing the government overseas in the negotiations currently under way."
Mrs Fitzgerald quit earlier this week - before a no-confidence motion in her was due to be debated in the Irish parliament.
Fianna Fail, which props up Mr Varadkar's government, wanted Mrs Fitzgerald out over her involvement in the long-running police scandal.
Sergeant Maurice McCabe raised concerns about police corruption but then found himself targeted by his own colleagues and the fallout has been going on for more than a decade.
There were calls for Mrs Fitzgerald to resign or be sacked over a series of emails about Sgt McCabe dating back to 2015 when she was the justice secretary.
Mr Varadkar told parliament that an inquiry was under way to determine who knew what about the case and he was certain that Mrs Fitzgerald will "have her good name vindicated".
The threat of fresh elections caused concern about Brexit on both sites of the Irish Sea, with the future of the Irish border one of the main stumbling blocks in the negotiations.
Mr Varadkar has threatened to block the talks progressing if he does not have sufficient assurances about the future of the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic.
An Irish government that had to win an election may have found it more difficult to fully engage in talks.
Agreement on the border is one of three issues that has to be resolved before the EU has said it is prepared for talks to move on to trade.