Incoming Taoiseach Simon Harris has ‘performed well’ in Cabinet during this term of Government, Tánaiste Micheál Martin has said.
On The Hard Shoulder today, he was asked by Kieran Cuddihy whether he stood by calling Harris a “very weak” health minister in 2019.
Mr Martin said it was a different time in politics and shared he has worked closely with the new Fine Gael leader since then.
“During that period there were lots of controversies,” he said.
“As part of the programme for this Government, I was responsible for establishing the new Department of Higher Education and Research - and Simon became the first minister of that.
“We worked and talked closely about why the department was established and the focus that was required on skills and research in third-level.
“He certainly did well in that department and I think things were said about me by Fine Gael politicians in the past too, and by others, but there is an obligation on opposition to be robust on key issues.”
Micheál Martin in studio today. Image: Newstalk.The Tánaiste acknowledged there will be a change in the dynamic of Cabinet when Harris becomes Taoiseach after the Dáil returns from Easter recess.
“It’s different and it’s a change in what will be the final year of this Dáil and Government – you will have a new dynamic, a changing dynamic,” he said.
“That said, Simon Harris has been a member of this Cabinet for the last four years and is very familiar with the personalities and the modus operandi between the three political parties involved.
“It shouldn’t be a huge challenge in terms of dealing with that dynamic and working our way through the next 12 months.”
General election
Mr Martin said there is no date planned for a general election yet.
“We will meet tomorrow evening, the three party leaders, and we will probably firm up on that,” he said.
“Given there is a significant vote of a Taoiseach now on the 9th of April I think it is important we give a sense of solidity around the Government for that period.”
The Tánaiste said his focus right now is on the budget next autumn which he believes should centre around housing, health, childcare, and education.
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Main image: Tanaiste Micheál Martin in the studio with Kieran Cuddihy today. Image: Newstalk.
