Harris: I’ll hit the ground running..
»»incoming taoiseach sets out his plans for the country »»new Fg leader pledges to tackle migration & housing
SIMON Harris has pledged to lead his party with a “new energy” as he vowed to hit the ground running as leader.
Ahead of his expected election as Taoiseach in the Dail tomorrow, recently appointed Fine Gael leader Mr Harris addressed his party’s annual conference on Saturday.
His uncontested elevation to leader of Fine Gael came after Taoiseach Leo Varadkar’s shock resignation last month.
In a wide-ranging speech at the close of the ard fheis at the University of Galway, Mr Harris identified housing, law and order plus support for small business as key priorities.
He also addressed recent tensions in Ireland over increased immigration rates, as he pledged to oversee a “fair” but “firm” system to manage migration into the country.
Launching a broadside against the main opposition party, Sinn Fein, he said the electorate in forthcoming local and European elections faced a stark choice between “opportunity and outright opportunism”.
Mr Harris, who paid warm tribute to his predecessor Mr Varadkar, said he was “deeply honoured” to take on the “greatest challenge” of his life.
He described himself as a “proud Wicklow man” as he referred to his upbringing as the oldest of three children and the values instilled by his mother, a special needs assistant, and his taxi driver father.
The 37-year-old also spoke with pride about his wife Caoimhe, a nurse, and children Saoirse and Cillian.
Mr Harris added: “Everything I do will be the grounded in the values my parents raised me with, hard work, compassion and a desire to help those who need it the most.”
He characterised Fine Gael’s values as hope, enterprise, equality of opportunity, integrity and security.
Mr Harris added: “That is the Fine Gael I intend to lead, with a new energy. Tonight, I promise you, we’re going to hit the ground running.
“I will stand by our values as a party and our vision as a nation.
“A tolerant, inclusive and outwardlooking society, which is fair, caring and secure.
“I am going to match that vision with action.”
Mr Harris vowed to tackle Ireland’s housing crisis, pledging to build 250,000 new homes in five years.
He added: “I am of a generation where home ownership can feel out of the reach of many.
“To young people, I want you to know your future is here in Ireland.
And I want your parents to know we will move mountains to get the children out of the box room and into a home of their own.
“We have to fix housing once and for all.” Mr Harris pledged a package to support small business owners as he acknowledged they were “hurting” under the pressure of rising costs. He said Fine Gael was also the party of “farmers, fishermen and women and rural Ireland”.
Commenting on the challenges presented by climate change,
Mr Harris stressed the need for a collaborative approach.
He added: “I want to say to farmers and to rural Ireland, Fine Gael will never talk down to you on climate action. We will sit down and work with you and for you.”
Mr Harris also vowed to help families struggling in the cost of living crisis.
The Wicklow TD also pledged to break down barriers to education and improve access to childcare and take action to help people with disabilities.
He also said the focus would be on improving access and opening more beds and theatres and ensuring the training and recruitment of more GPS, consultants, nurses and therapists. He said Fine Gael would always stand for law and order under his leadership.
Mr Harris added: “We stand for more gardai, with more powers and more resources to make our streets safe.” He said he would fast-track laws to give judges powers to make sure “heinous criminals” serve long sentences before they are considered for release.
On November’s riots in Dublin, Mr Harris said he would convene a taskforce with the council, retailers, business, community groups and gardai to chart a path towards a “safer and vibrant” city. He added: “It is time to have pride again in our capital city.”
Addressing the conflict in the Middle East, Mr Harris issued a blunt message to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying Ireland was “repulsed” by his actions.
On Northern Ireland, Mr Harris spoke of the need to maintain positive cooperation.
He added: “I am determined to work together on a north-south, eastwest basis to improve the lives of everyone across these islands.”
In conclusion, the Fine Gael leader said he would work day and night to make people’s lives better.
Mr Harris added: “Together, I promise we will deliver. With a new energy. Now let’s get to work.”
IT’S LEO’S LAST DAY:
PAGES 14&15