SIMON COVENEY

MINISTER FOR HOUSING AND PLANNING PROS

Coveney was an impressive agriculture minister and, despite his privileged background and wealth, was popular with agricultural groups and small farmers. Adding defence to his portfolio in July 2014 was a masterstroke as it coincided with the emerging Mediterranean refugee crisis – he won great positive publicity when Irish vessels rescued survivors. He is married with three children. Sober and sensible, he would be seen as a steady hand.

CONS

He lives a quiet life away from the glitz, yet he is not modest. If he becomes taoiseach, he will be the richest man to assume that office (not counting Charlie Haughey). Politicians with wealth don’t last long here. He likes yacht- ing, not a sport with a mass following. He gets publicly angry when people disagree with him. He hasn’t been exposed to the relentless media criticism of a taoiseach. If elected, it will only be by winning the support of Enda Kenny and his dwindling band of followers – and could thus be tainted with the mark of a discredited regime. SUITABILITY 6/10 FOR TAOISEACH