Simon Coveney has not conceded defeat and is confident he can win in leadership race

Leo Varadkar now has the public support of 46 members of the parliamentary party - requiring Simon Coveney's campaign to win more than three-quarters of the votes of ordinary members.

Simon Coveney says he hopes if his campaign for Fine Gael leadership is unsuccessful future government appointments will be based on ability and not on political loyalty.

The Housing Minister says he believes that when the balance tipped in Leo Varadker's favour in the first day of the leadership contest many of his party colleagues swayed in that direction as they wanted to be on the winning side. 

Speaking on the Neil Prendeville Show on Cork's RedFM Minister Simon Coveney says he would be worried about the impact on his supporters if he lost the leadership race.
 

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