Fine Gael praises Simon Coveney ahead of no confidence vote

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney, is facing a motion of no confidence in the Dáil this evening. 

The motion was tabled by Sinn Féin after public fallout from Mr Coveney's appointment of Katherine Zappone as special envoy. 

According to the Independent, Mr Coveney is expected to survive the vote because of the government majority. 

In a tweet from Fine Gael's Twitter account, Mr Coveney was called "an asset to Ireland". 

The Dáil debate on the scandal and subsequent vote will take place at 6pm this evening.