Nominations to become the party’s new leader will be announced in Athlone.
Simon Harris is expected to be announced as the new leader of Fine Gael today.
The party is set to confirm the Higher Education Minister as the only candidate to replace Leo Varadkar.
Following Leo Varadkar’s shock announcement that he was stepping down as Fine Gael leader and Taoiseach, Simon Harris had his backers quickly out of the blocks.
Such as the pace of Minister Harris’ machine, other possible candidates, Heather Humphries, Paschal Donohoe and Helen McEntee announced they would not seek a nomination to become the new Fine Gael leader.
The deadline for nominations to become the new leader will close at 1 o clock this afternoon.
There will also be a Fine Gael selection convention for the Midlands North-West constituency in the European elections in Athlone.
Following that, the Fine Gael returning officer Willie Geraghty will reveal the nominations to become the new leader.
Barring any surprises, it’s expected Simon Harris will be the sole candidate, and will be declared the winner of the contest.
Nominations for the new leader of Fine Gael have closed.
It’s expected Simon Harris will be the sole candidate to replace Leo Varadkar, when the results are announced later this afternoon.