TAOISEACH SIMON HARRIS has praised outgoing deputy Fine Gael leader Heather Humphreys, who has announced she will not be running in the next general election. Meanwhile, Justice Minister Helen McEntee has been announced as the party’s new Deputy Leader,

Taoiseach Simon Harris made the appointment after the 64-year-old’s shock decision to step down from the role and not stand in the general election.

Fine Gael deputy leader Heather Humphreys has made the shock decision not to run in the upcoming general election. In a statement, Ms Humphreys confirmed to the Irish Independent that after 21 years as a public representative,

Helen McEntee has been appointed Fine Gael deputy leader after the shock announcement that Heather Humphreys will not run in the next general election. Ms Humphreys' decision comes as her party remains on course to be the largest after the next election with the latest Sunday Times/Opinions poll showing it remains on 24%.