SIMON COVENEY
PERSONAL: Aged 44. Son of former Fine Gael TD and minister Hugh Coveney, who died in an accident in 1998.
As well as being a politician, his father was a successful surveyor and wealthy farmer.
Married to Ruth Furney, an IDA executive in Cork. They have three young daughters.
EDUCATION: Clongowes Wood College. UCC, Gurteen Agricultural College, Tipperary, Royal Agriculture College, Gloucestershire, England. Holds a BSc in agriculture and land management.
POLITICAL: First elected a Fine Gael TD for Cork South Central in 1998 by-election caused by his father’s death.
Was an MEP 2000-2007 but gave up Euro seat for Dáil politics.
Appointed agriculture minister in 2011, took on additional defence portfolio in 2014. Housing Minister since May 2016.
CAREER TRAJECTORY: Began in the shadow of his late father’s reputation and later for a time dubbed “light weight”.
But seen as a potential Fine Gael leader for almost a decade.
Viewed as earnest and policy-driven – he has been cultivating personal support in recent years.
STRENGTHS: Unfailingly polite, extremely hardworking and pays keen attention to policy details.
A dealmaker, capable of standing his ground as well as compromising. Did heavy-lifting on Fine Gael-Fianna Fáil deal to underpin this Government.
WEAKNESSES: More focused on policy than people. Knockabout politics does not come naturally to him.
LUCKY GENERAL? In his first job as agriculture minister in 2011, he presided over the only Irish sector doing well. Sided against Enda Kenny in 2010 ‘botched heave’ and still made cabinet.
UNLUCKY GENERAL? He landed the toughest Cabinet job in May 2016, leaving him a housing and homelessness crisis and the future of water charges. These just as he was trying to become taoiseach.
TO BE EXPECTED: From Cork’s wealthy section of society, he sails and played rugby.
A SURPRISE: Was expelled from the elite Clongowes Wood secondary boarding school for partying and drinking, much to the anger of his parents. Specialised in human rights as an MEP.
SOUNDBITE WINNER: “Whatever ministry I have, whether it’s defence, whether it’s marine, whether it’s agriculture, I’ve tried to make as big a mark as I can in taking on some big challenges and trying to overcome them. I’ve got some very big challenges at the moment to take on and overcome, and there’s a lot of people relying on me to do it,” in December 2016 on facing up to challenge of being the Housing Minister.
SOUNDBITE GAFFE: On March 1, 2016, he “dropped the ball” by suggesting abolition of Irish Water could be part of Fine Gael-Fianna Fáil government-making talks. “We need to take on board within reason, what they are looking for,” he said on RTÉ.
UNIQUE SELLING POINT: Total commitment to policy achievements in whatever job he takes on.
POLITICIAN, LIVING OR DEAD, HE MOST ADMIRES: Aung San Suu Kyi.
STATED HOBBIES: Sailing, rugby, GAA and following all sports.