‘HARRIS IS A TIK-TOK TAOISEACH’
» Labour TD calls for general election » Minister says party back to ‘core values’
There is no crisis and that language isn’t helpful
A LEADING Labour TD has launched a scathing attack on Taoiseach-to-be Simon Harris describing him as a “yappy dog” following a car.
Labour’s finance spokesman Ged Nash criticised Mr Harris as the “Tiktok Taoiseach” and called for a general election.
Speaking ahead of his party’s annual conference in DCU, Mr Nash said: “He will be like the yappy dog chasing the car. If he caught the car, he wouldn’t know what to do with it.”
There was more bad news for Fine Gael yesterday as MEP Colm Markey announced he will not be contesting the European elections in June.
He said: “I have informed Fine Gael that I will be withdrawing my name from the MEP selection convention for Midlands North-west constituency.”
He said he will remain in politics and is likely to stand in the general election in Louth in the hope of retaining the seat held by Fergus O’dowd who is stepping down.
Fine Gael Minister of State Neale Richmond denied his party is in crisis despite 11 TDS saying they will not contest the next general election.
He told RTE’S Colm O Mongain Fine Gael will be returning to its “core values” and has a “plethora of new candidates”.
He added: “There is certainly no crisis and that use of excessive language isn’t helpful.
“We have selected candidates in every single electoral area, every single local authority to run for seats for the party.
“We’re not having gaps around the map, we’ll run a full slate of candidates for the European elections, the local elections.” Deputy Nash accused Fine Gael of stagnating after 13 years in
Government and said its incoming leader had to bear some of the responsibility for that.
He added: “We don’t believe the Tiktok Taoiseach will transform anything. He will merely tinker around the edges.
“Rather than change the faces at the top of Government, we need to change this Government. Three Taoisigh in four years. Three into four does not go. We need to change this Government, and more importantly, the direction of this country.” Nominations for Fine Gael
Three Taoisigh in four years – we need change
leader close today at 1pm, with Mr Harris likely to be the only candidate.
It is almost certain he will reshuffle his cabinet in a move which could mark the end of Simon Coveney’s ministerial career.
Unlike Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys and Justice Minister Helen Mcentee, whose positions are considered safe, Mr Coveney and Paschal Donohoe did not publicly endorse Mr Harris.
However, it is unlikely Mr Donohoe will be shifted from his ministerial post as he is deemed to be a safe pair of hands and is also President of the Eurogroup.
It has also emerged Mr Harris reached an agreement with Heather Humphreys so she would not run against him and could become deputy leader of Fine Gael.
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