Irish PM Varadkar names Simon Coveney as deputy PM

DUBLIN, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Leo Varadkar on Thursday appointed Simon Coveney as the new Tanaiste (deputy prime minister).

Coveney will replace Frances Fitzgerald who stepped down on Tuesday.

Last week, the main opposition, Fianna Fail (Republican Party), lodged a motion of no-confidence against Fitzgerald, alleging that she was involved in a conspiracy aimed at smearing police whistleblower Maurice McCabe when she served as minister for justice from 2014 to 2016.

But Fitzgerald rejected the allegations, saying that she was not part of any conspiracy to undermine McCabe.

Coveney, a TD (member of parliament) from south Ireland's County Cork, will continue to serve as minister for foreign affairs and trade with responsibility for Brexit.

Meanwhile, Josepha Madigan, a female TD of the ruling Fine Gael (United Ireland Party), was appointed minister for culture, heritage and the Gaeltacht. She replaced Heather Humphreys, who was appointed to Fitzgerald's concurrent post of minister for business, enterprise and innovation.

Humphreys held the culture, heritage and the Gaeltacht role since June. Enditem