Minister for Social Protection Leo Varadkar has said one of Minister for Housing Simon Coveney's key supporters might switch to him in the Fine Gael leadership race.
Speaking on his way into Cabinet on Tuesday, he suggested Minister of State for Health Promotion Marcella Corcoran-Kennedy might withdraw her support from Mr Coveney when she read his proposals on health.
Mr Varadkar is leading the race to become Fine Gael leader and Taoiseach, according to The Irish Times leadership tracker.
He was responding to Mr Coveney’s ongoing bid to encourage some of Mr Varadkar’s to switch sides.
Mr Varadkar said the document he launched on Monday focused on public health and healthy living.
“Marcella Corcoran-Kennedy is the Minister for that. Perhaps she’ll see the diffences between the two documents and maybe change her mind,” he said. “I think it would take a lot for any individual to withdraw a declaration and vote for another candidate, but of course that can work both ways.”
Ms Corcoran-Kennedy declined to respond to Mr Varadkar’s comments.
Declaration
Mr Varadkar added that making a declaration for someone was more than “just saying you’re going to vote for somebody”.
It involved signing a piece of paper, nominating a candidate and submitting the nomination to party headquarters.
He said no matter what happened he was sure Mr Coveney and himself would be able to work together in the interests of the country. He said he had enormous regard for Mr Coveney, describing him as “diligent, very serious and very persistent”.
Meanwhile, Minister for Health Simon Harris, who is backing Mr Coveney, said people in the “Leinster House bubble” will not decide the outcome of the Fine Gael leadership race.
"There hasn't been a vote counted yet, you have to remember that as well. Simon Coveney has a very, very compelling message about the vision that he has for this country, the direction he wants to take the country and the direction he wants to take the Fine Gael party," he said. v"This contest is far from over," he added.
Asked if he was worried about his own Cabinet position if Mr Varadkar became Taoiseach, Mr Harris said: “Not at all.” He said he had made his intention to vote for Mr Coveney known on “day one” of the campaign.
