Minister for Health Simon Harris confirmed on Sunday that he is now engaged to his long-term girlfriend Caoimhe Wade.

Ms Wade is originally from Wexford and works as a nurse.

“I’m obviously thrilled that Caoimhe has agreed to marry me. I wasn’t expecting publicity about it but I suppose in politics these things get out very quickly,” he told The Irish Times on Sunday.

The 29-year-old Minister, who is youngest member of the Cabinet, is widely regarded as the rising star of Fine Gael.

His appointment at such a young age to what is widely regarded as the toughest Cabinet portfolio was one of the big surprises of Enda Kenny’s second Government.