Simon Harris should “give up airy-fairy ideas” and get “back to basics” when he becomes Taoiseach, Michael Healy Rae has said. 

Yesterday, nominations for the leadership of Fine Gael closed and the Wicklow TD was the sole person to put his name forward. 

It means Minister Harris is now leader of the party and will almost certainly be elected Taoiseach when the Dáil returns from its Easter break on April 9th. 

Presumptive leader of Fine Gael, Simon Harris, arrives at the Sheraton Athlone. Photograph: Eamonn Farell / © RollingNews.ie

Speaking to Newstalk, Deputy Healy Rae said he wished him “well and good luck” in his new job but hoped to see some policy changes in the months ahead. 

“This incoming Taoiseach and Government should get back to basics, in my opinion, and give up airy-fairy ideas,” he said. 

“They should tackle the fact that people have to wait up to 15 hours to see a doctor. 

“[And] they should make a real and meaningful effort to tackle the housing crisis.” 

A housing estate under construction in Cork. Image: David Creedon / Alamy Stock Photo

The independent TD also said the Government has been spending too long “imagining things that they should be doing that aren’t possible to the people at all”. 

“Tackle the basic issues that people need,” he said. 

“We have to keep people in this country, not be exporting them to foreign lands - to Australia and places like that.” 

‘A moment to reset’ 

Following his election as leader, Minister Harris described it as “a moment for Fine Gael to reset”.

“It is a moment for Fine Gael to reconnect,” he said. 

“It is a moment for Fine Gael to renew our commitment to the people. 

“It’s a hell of a lot to get done in the time ahead.”

Simon Harris in the Newstalk Studio, 12/11/2023. Image via Yuzzit.ie

He also promised he would make the economy “work for people”. 

“I know I won’t get everything right,” he said. 

“But I am going to bring energy and renewal to this party. 

“I want to win back your trust.”

If elected, Minister Harris will become the youngest Taoiseach in the history of the State at the age of 37.

Main image: Michael Healy-Rae on the plinth outside Leinster House. Image: Leah Farrell/RollingNews