Simon Harris doesn't view the job of Taoiseach as a poisoned chalice.

Simon Harris says he never expected to be putting his name forward to become the next leader of Fine Gael this week.

Minister Simon Harris at Dublin Castle, 29-8-18. Image: PA Images / Alamy

Leo Varadkar unexpectedly announced on Tuesday that he was stepping down.

The Higher Education Minister has already been endorsed by the majority of his fellow parliamentary party members, and it’s looking likely that he will be the sole candidate, paving the way for him to become the next Taoiseach.

Minister Harris said he never had any reluctance in putting his name forward.

'Being honest my approach to public service is , I never view serving as a poison chalice.  I'm not naive I know how difficult things are,  I know the stage of the electoral cycle we're at,  I know the challenges that my party faces I know the challenges that my country faces but I believe  if you put your name on a ballot paper, you don't shirk and I have no intention of doing that.'