Simon’s up for the battle, even if he lacks the killer instinct

IN THE autumn of 1998, 26-year-old Simon Coveney followed in the footsteps of his late father Hugh and embarked on a career in Irish politics.

His entry to Dáil Éireann was in many ways an accident.

Just months before his victory at the polls, Mr Coveney learned via email that his father’s remains had been pulled from the sea by navy divers in Cork.

He and his siblings were in the Pacific Ocean on a sailing trip when they were learned the devastating news.

They made the traumatic 36-hour journey home to say goodbye to a man widely seen as a respected force in Irish politics.

Now, more than 19 years later, Simon Coveney has done his late father proud as he takes over the reins of the second-highest office in the land.

Appointing Mr Coveney as Tánaiste was a decision Leo Varadkar should have taken the day he was elected Taoiseach in June.

Given the highly damaging controversy involving Mr Coveney’s predecessor Frances Fitzgerald, it’s a decision Mr Varadkar now surely regrets.

Mr Coveney proved during his unsuccessful leadership campaign that he was no match for the well-oiled Varadkar machine and lacked the killer instinct required for victory.

But he also proved that he is someone with widespread appeal, outperforming his rival in three of the four leadership hustings and overwhelmingly securing the vote of the membership.

After a short and difficult stint in housing, Mr Coveney has been at the forefront of Ireland’s Brexit efforts as Foreign Affairs Minister.

He has adopted a far more hardline approach with both London and Belfast – much to the ire of political figures such as DUP leader and former first minister Arlene Foster.

But Mr Coveney’s mettle was on display as he hosted a press conference recently with the outspoken British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson.

The Fine Gael politician openly disagreed with his UK counterpart, admitting that there was an “impasse” between the UK and Ireland when it came to the timing of dealing with the Border.

Crucially, sources in Dublin said Mr Coveney was far less diplomatic behind closed doors, telling Mr Johnson that Ireland would simply not tolerate a hard Brexit and a return to a hard Border.

EU sources, meanwhile, say they have been highly impressed with Mr Coveney and believe Ireland is well served with him at the helm of the Brexit talks.

Mr Coveney may never have the killer instinct required to become Taoiseach.

But it is widely accepted from all sides of the house that he is the best person to assist Ireland in avoiding a potentially catastrophic impact from Brexit.