Simon Coveney has announced that he is stepping down as a Cabinet minister.

The Fine Gael Minister for Enterprise informed his new party leader Simon Harris of his decision last night.

He said he will "continue to work as a proud TD" and will "of course actively support the Government in the Dáil".

It comes after the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced his resignation two weeks ago.

Simon Harris was elected Fine Gael leader in his place four days later after he became the only person to be nominated.

The Dáil will vote on whether to accept him as Taoiseach when it returns next week.

Minister Coveney just last week insisted that he would be contesting the next General Election for Fine Gael.

However, it is unclear what impact this morning’s announcement will have on those plans.

Should he decide not stand at the next election, he will become the 12th sitting Fine Gael TD to confirm that he will not be running for the next Government.

Simon Harris is expected to announce his Cabinet next week.