Coveney targeting 12 ‘swing’ votes in party
Simon Coveney is targeting 12 key ‘swing’ votes from the parliamentary party and set to exploit growing tensions among Leo Varadkar supporters over Cabinet seats.
A source from mr Coveney’s camp said: ‘A number of “declared” Leo supporters in the parliamentary party are anxious, they are being roasted by the grassroots.’ The 12 include TDs Tom neville, Joe Carey and Pat Breen. others being targeted include Senators Kieran o’Donnell and martin Conway; TDs Tony mcLoughlin and Peter Burke; and Junior minister Andrew Doyle. mr Coveney is also still hoping to get the votes of Frances Fitzgerald, mary mitchell o’Connor, Charlie Flanagan and Richard Bruton. A Coveney source said: ‘People are starting to do the math... Put bluntly, Leo has 45 supporters and that will not go into 27 ministries.’ Backbencher noel Rock is tipped for minister of State at Transport and Tourism or EU Affairs.