Simon Harris has confirmed his intention to become the next Taoiseach and leader of Fine Gael.
He told Newstalk today that he “wants to be the next leader of Fine Gael” and thanked party members for their trust who have publicly declared support for him so far.
Harris said he will give it his “absolute all” to repay their trust and plans to work “night and day” in the role going forward.
The Higher Education Minister is the only Fine Gael member to have thrown his hat in the ring for the position of party leader so far, following Leo Varadkar’s shock resignation yesterday.
Leo Varadkar announces he will step down as Fine Gael leader and Taoiseach 20/03/2024Simon Harris said securing the party leadership is not just a formality at this point.
"There are no formalities in Irish politics," he told Newstalk.
"I’m very conscious nominations are still open in my party and I’m also very conscious that there is another process in relation to forming a Government.
"I’m looking forward to listening to people across my party organisation over the next number of days, people right across the country."
Fianna Fáil support
Harris said he is not worried about support from Fianna Fáil after he was criticised by the party for having a lack of experience while Health Minister five years ago.
"That was a very different political environment," he said.
"Opposition do what opposition do and I respect that, but there is no politician in Ireland that is perfect, I’m certainly not.
"I think any fair evaluation of my record would show my leadership at the start of the pandemic an ability to work across the political divide and a referendum to appeal the eighth amendment."
Support
Other contenders for the Fine Gael leadership, such as Paschal Donohoe and Heather Humphreys, have announced they will not be contesting Harris and have instead declared their support for him.
Enterprise Minister Simon Coveney, who previously lost the Fine Gael leadership race to Mr Varadkar, also ruled himself out of the running last night.
Simon Harris was first elected to the Dail in 2011 and has been a member of Cabinet since 2016 when he took on the health portfolio and later the higher education portfolio.
Reporting by Barry Whyte.
Main image: Higher Education Minister Simon Harris speaking to the media at Government Buildings, 25-9-20. Image: Julien Behal Photography / RollingNews.ie
