LONDON

Ireland's enterprise, trade and employment minister announced on Tuesday plans to step down from the Cabinet when it resumes work next week.

Simon Coveney said on X that he had informed Prime Minister-elect Simon Harris, who leads the Fine Gael party of his decision late on Monday.

"I'll continue to work as a proud TD (member of Ireland's lower house of parliament) for Cork South Central and will of course actively support the Government in the Dail," said Coveney, who had served as foreign minister in a previous government.

Harris is expected to be officially elected as taoiseach, or prime minister, in the Irish parliament's lower house, Dail, in April following Easter recess.

Speaking to Irish public broadcaster RTE, Coveney said he did not know whether he would have been asked to be in Harris' Cabinet, but that it would be easier for the new party leader if he stepped down.

Coveney has been minister for enterprise, trade and employment since December 2022 and he previously served as foreign minister from late November 2017 until June 2020.