Simon Harris to focus on law and order in first ardfheis speech as Fine Gael leader

Up to 2,000 Fine Gael members are today expected to attend Simon Harris’s first ardfheis as party leader.

Delegates at the conference in the University of Galway will discuss some 200 motions, including calls to introduce a middle-income tax band of 30 per cent, provide lethal military aid to Ukraine, increase funding for childcare and prioritise the building of starter homes for purchase at affordable prices.

In his ardfheis speech this evening Mr Harris said he would be talking to three types of people – those who vote for Fine Gael, those who once did but not any longer and those who would never vote for the party.

Setting out his policy priorities in his speech he will also place a significant focus on law and order, the effect of drug use on communities and call for tougher penalties for antisocial behaviour.

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He is also expected to speak about additional supports for families, farming and reduced costs for businesses and to stress Fine Gael’s determination to protect the economy, build more houses and invest in health, education and disabilities, and improve access to childcare.

[ The rise of Simon Harris: 'He used to turn up to meetings in suits three times too big for him' ]

The incoming taoiseach will also speak about the Middle East and the crisis in Gaza.

Mr Harris has also insisted there will be no snap election under his leadership.

Speaking to reporters yesterday he said he had told the Fianna Fáil and Green Party leaders that “you won’t be turning on the telly to see if the leader of Fine Gael is about to announce an election”.

He and his Coalition partners believed in “mature, responsible leadership” and he pledged that the Government would run its full term, until early next year.

Speaking about his reshuffle of Fine Gael Cabinet members Mr Harris said he would bring a diversity of viewpoints.

While speculation has focused on geography and gender in his choices, the Fine Gael leader insisted there was no maximum “age cap” on possible senior ministers.

He rejected as unfair a question as to whether he would be dropping Minister for Justice Helen McEntee from Cabinet. “My colleague and friend Minister McEntee is a very important part of the party,” he said.

He said he believed in bringing a diversity of viewpoints into Cabinet. “Lots of people have different talents, different strengths,” he said.

[ What is an Irish political party ardfheis and why does it matter? ]

Mr Harris was also pressed about a “sting operation” by Minister of State Patrick O’Donovan in 2021 in an attempt to expose him as leaking from Cabinet.

Asked if that was something that would play against Mr O’Donovan when he was thinking of a reshuffle, Mr Harris said “rumour mills” would “not be a factor in my thinking”.

“My thinking is about putting the best team possible in place, harnessing all of the talents,” he said.

Asked for his comment, Mr O’Donovan said: “I have a very good relationship with the leader and have always had and will always have.”

The Fine Gael leader acknowledged that it was a time of tension in advance of the reshuffle and some would feel a “sense of personal disappointment”.

But he said people were around long enough to know that “some people get an opportunity this time and some people get an opportunity in the future”.

As the local and European elections loom on June 7th the first serious judgment of how the new taoiseach is performing will be based on how well the party does. Currently it has 255 councillors, second only to Fianna Fáil but it will be in uphill battle to retain those on an increasingly febrile political atmosphere.

Mr Harris said he was not setting seat targets but would visit every constituency in every county with some 350 candidates. The party is also hoping to maintain its five European Parliament seats.

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