Harris is courting independent TDS to get their votes
Incoming Taoiseach plans meetings with deputies
FINE Gael leader Simon Harris is arranging meetings this week with independent TDS who he hopes will back him in a pending Dail vote to become Taoiseach.
Deputies Denis Naughten, Peter Fitzpatrick, Noel Grealish, Matt Shanahan and Cathal Berry confirmed they expect to meet Mr Harris, while Tipperary TD Michael Lowry might also do so.
Confirming he would talk to the Fine Gael leader, Mr Grealish said: “Yes. I will be meeting him before the vote next Tuesday.”
Mr Naughten also confirmed to RTE that he would be engaging with Mr Harris, saying in a text: “Yes.
Will be meeting him.”
Mr Fitzpatrick said he had spoken to Mr Harris on the phone and would be seeing him before the Dail’s return.
Deputy Shanahan stated: “I’m looking forward to hearing him reiterate his significant concern to address the many stalled investments in Waterford, a number of which he was/is directly involved in, cardiac schedule and promised capital builds at University Hospital Waterford, as well as comprehensive funding to South East Technical University and airport.”
Independent TD Marc Mcsharry has already indicated he will back Mr Harris in the vote due to his “personal attention to the amalgamation of St Angela’s College with the Atlantic Technological University”.
Twelve independent TDS have indicated they will vote against Mr Harris.
They are Verona Murphy, Michael Healy-rae, Danny Healy-rae, Violet Anne-wynne, Marian Harkin, Mattie Mcgrath, Michael Mcnamara, Thomas Pringle, Michael Collins, Michael Fitzmaurice,
Richard O’donoghue and Joan Collins. Sinn Fein’s Matt Carthy called on independent TDS last week to vote against Mr Harris and trigger a general election, declaring that supporting the new Taoiseach means they will be “... voting for a continued crisis in housing, health and disability services and in the cost of living”.
Speaking in Dublin yesterday, Mr Harris said he planned to “flesh-out” his policy plans for Government at the Fine Gael Ard Fheis in Galway next Saturday and these would include housing provision, tackling crime and backing small businesses.
He declined to give any information on the make-up of his new Cabinet, but Longford-westmeath TD and Minister of State Peter Burke is being tipped for a senior ministry.
Mr Harris said: “My genuine obsession is on policy and delivery.
“And of course, I’ll be choosing ministers in due course that I believe are best positioned to advance those policies.”