CLAP OF HONOUR
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TAOISEACH-IN-WAITING Simon Harris vowed the Government will be in place for one more year as he was appointed the new leader of Fine Gael.
In a rousing speech to the party faithful, Mr Harris said: “I’m up for it. I’m ready.”
He also took the opportunity to take a number of swipes at Sinn Fein, which resulted in raucous applause from delegates attending his coronation in the Sheraton Hotel in Athlone.
Mr Harris was the only candidate to put his name forward to replace outgoing leader and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.
While he was confirmed as Fine Gael leader, he will not become Taoiseach until the Dail returns after the Easter break on April 9.
At 37 he will be the youngest Fine Gael leader and Taoiseach, taking the title previously held by Varadkar, who was 38 when he took the role.
Mr Harris said it was “the honour of his life” to become Fine Gael leader. Speaking to the media last night, Mr Harris said that once he becomes Taoiseach, it is his intention that the Government will see out its full five-year mandate. The latest this Government can run is March 2025.
He said: “I welcome the opportunity to provide clarity on this. I want to get this Government back to work, I want to deliver for people, I want to implement the Programme for Government and I want to renew my party across the country.
“It’s my view and my intention that this Government should run full term. I am very conscious that governments take on a rhythm of their own and I’m very conscious that all people need to act in good faith.
“Events can happen in Irish politics, of course they can. But we’ve got a lot of work to do.
“I don’t think there needs to be any mystique around my intention where [the media] ask me every second day where my head is at. I am planning for this
Government, should I be lucky enough to form one and to become Taoiseach, I would like to see this Government run full term. That’s my intention as of now.”
Mr Harris said he spoke to Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin and Green Party leader Eamon Ryan last night. He will meet Mr Varadkar today.
During his speech, Mr Harris said when he nominated former Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny for Taoiseach on his first day as a TD in 2011, he never could have imagined becoming leader.
He noted that since he became a TD in 2011, Ireland under Fine Gael is now “flourishing”.
Harris said: “Sinn Fein can’t bear to look back over what Fine Gael has achieved since pulling our economy back from the brink. Always seeking to denigrate our service in Government by denying reality.
“They can’t handle the truth. We will not stand for that.” The greatest round of
SF can’t bear to look over what FG achieved SIMON HARRIS SLAMS OPPOSITION PARTY
applause during Mr Harris’ speech came when he mentioned the funeral of Garda killer Pearse Mcauley last week.
IRA member Mcauley was convicted and jailed on the 1996 killing of Detective Garda Jerry Mccabe in Co Limerick.
Mr Harris said: “In a week I saw the tricolour of this Republic draped over the coffin of a Garda killer, I say shame. Let’s take our flag back.”
Mr Harris also paid tribute to his wife Caoimhe, a paediatric nurse, and children Saoirse, five, and two-year-old Cillian.
He said: “There will always be challenges but they can always be met if we cleave to those fundamental values which have served this nation well.
“These are the Fine Gael values. Hope. Enterprise. Equality of Opportunity. Integrity. Security. I have been in this party since I was 15 years old and those values meant and mean everything to me.
“I believe in public service and the power of politics to make a difference and to make people’s lives better.
“My mother used to tell us that success is about liking what you do. I like what I do.
“My parents gave up so much and worked so hard for us and today I thank them for that. I want to take this moment to also thank my incredibly supportive, and extraordinarily patient, wife, Caoimhe, and our wonderful children, Saoirse and Cillian. I appreciate I’m a very lucky man in every way.”
Mr Harris said that his leadership will be a moment for Fine Gael to “reconnect” and “renew our commitment to the people”. He admitted that there is a “helluva lot to get done in the time ahead” and added that while he was aware he will not “get everything right” he committed to “bring energy and renewal to this
party”. Simon Coveney, the outgoing deputy leader of Fine Gael, told those at the event that Mr Harris has the “full support” of the party. He said the new leader would bring “new energy and new ideas”.
He said: “This is a party that is comfortable in Government. This is a party that is now going to fight to stay in Government in the months ahead. Simon Harris is ideally placed to bring this party forward.”
Mr Harris and Mr Coveney also both paid tribute to Mr Varadkar, with Minister Coveney noting that when “the history books are written”, they will be “incredibly positive” about Mr Varadkar as Taoiseach.
Fine Gael TD Michael Ring yesterday called on Mr Harris to restore “core values” and ditch plans for hate speech legislation and to extend pub opening hours.
When asked by the Irish Mirror if he intended to do this, Mr Harris said while there is a need for this legislation, he recognises that there have been concerns raised and Justice Minister Helen Mcentee is looking at how it can be amended.