Peter Burke seen as possible future leader

In a sample study conducted by the Irish Examiner, 35 out of 55 TDs, senators and MEPs who make up the Fine Gael party, are supporting Simon Harris, the Higher Education minister and Helen McEntee, the Justice minister, to succeed Leo Varadkar.

Minister for Local Government and Planning, Peter Burke, has emerged as a potential future leader, with two members, or 6%, backing the Mullingar man. A higher number of TDs and senators said they wanted to see Mr Burke in Cabinet.

Another new opinion poll has found that support for Fine Gael has dropped by a point to 20%, the party's lowest score in 17 years.