T HE two-horse race for the highest political prize in the country is well and truly on between Simon Coveney and Leo Varadkar following Enda Kenny’s decision this week to step down as Taoiseach after leading the country through some of its most tumultous years in recent political history.

Between now and Friday, June 2nd, when the new leader of Fine Gael is announced, no doubt every issue from water and bin charges to the USC and property tax will be trotted out on the airwaves but right up amongst them, the national scourge that is rural crime simply must be put at the very top of the successful candidate’s agenda.