Simon Coveney to step down as minister when Dáil returns next week
Coveney told incoming Taoiseach Simon Harris of his decision last night.
He had sought to become leader of Fine Gael in 2017, but lost out to Leo Varadkar in the leadership race.
After Varadkar announced he was stepping down as Taoiseach last month, Coveney ruled himself out of going for leader again.