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‘Fine Gael should re-embrace Christian Democratic values’: FG members give their views on Simon Harris, the next cabinet, and party’s future

Delegates ‘100 per cent’ opposed to coalition with Sinn Féin because ‘we’re just not compatible’

Political Correspondent Cormac McQuinn takes a closer look at the motivations and players behind the ‘new energy’ at the 82nd Fine Gael Ard Fheis.

Cormac McQuinn
Marie O'Halloran
Sun Apr 7 2024 - 12:00

As speculation builds as to who incoming taoiseach Simon Harris might involve in his Cabinet reshuffle, The Irish Times sought the views of Fine Gael delegates at the party’s ardfheis in Galway.

The Fine Gael leader has two clear openings, his own brief as Minister for Further and Higher Education and that of Simon Coveney as Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, and delegates believe some change could bring a fresh look to a party in government since 2011.

Cork-based councillor Deirdre Forde said of Mr Harris’s appointment: “Every new broom sweeps clean. I think it’s an opportunity for the party to reset, renew.”

Ms Forde, who is running in Cork City South-East, said Mr Harris should appoint another woman as a senior minister, with Jennifer Carroll MacNeill or Hildegarde Naughton seen as “outstanding” options.

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She said she also hopes Mr Harris will “think of Cork” in making appointments to the ministerial ranks.

Cork City candidate Deirdre Forde at the 82nd Fine Gael Ard Fheis at the University of Galway. Photograph: Chris Maddaloni/The Irish Times

Mr Coveney’s impending departure from Cabinet means Fine Gael will not have a Minister in the county unless makes an appointment. Cork North-Central TD Colm Burke has been tipped for a minister of State role.

Ms Forde said Mr Burke is a “super colleague” and “I’m sure he’d be well able to rise to any challenge”.

Asked about commentary suggesting Fine Gael needs a stint in opposition to refresh itself, she said: “We’re not afraid of taking on the challenge of being in government.

“Obviously the people are sovereign so what they decide is what will happen and we’re able to deal with both but we’d prefer to be in government because there’s many issues still to be tackled.”

Fingal councillor Tom O’Leary said Mr Harris will be a “breath of fresh air” for Fine Gael. “He’s full of energy. I think he has a great way of connecting with people, particularly young people.”

Asked what the new leader should prioritise as taoiseach, Mr O’Leary, a local election candidate in Balbriggan, said: “One of the key ones for me is creches ... I want the Government to build 200 new creches and let them out to the creche providers. The creche system is broken. We need childcare for young families and that’s what I want him to do.”

Balbriggan Councillor Tom O’Leary at the 82nd Fine Gael Ard Fheis at the University of Galway. Photograph: Chris Maddaloni/The Irish Times

On who should be appointed to Cabinet, Mr O’Leary said: “[Minister of State for European Affairs] Peter Burke. He’s an excellent candidate ... He’s very experienced. He’s an accountant. He’s been to Europe, he’s been in [the Department of] Housing ... I hope he’s in Cabinet on Tuesday.”

Aoife Ward from Dún Laoghaire said she would like to see a rebalancing away from Dublin. “We have great talent around the country so we should be promoting people outside Dublin.”

She also favoured Mr Burke as “someone who’s going to be strong on justice. He seems a guy who can hold his powder and that’s what we need. No slight at all on Helen. I know her well and I really respect her. I do think for a lot of people out there, the tone has changed.

“And we do need to be looking at what the narrative is for the election, whenever that might be. We just need a bit of a pivot away from what’s before, not that it was flawed but just people need a refresh in their minds.”

Ms Ward was also impressed by Mayo TD Alan Dillon, who “proved his metal in the Oireachtas media committee on the RTÉ controversy”.

Former Mayo TD Michelle Mulherin praised Mr Harris’s messaging on law and order, saying this is “at the cornerstone of our democracy” and “I definitely think it needs a refocus considering a lot of events”.

Former TD Michelle Mulherin would like to see Mr Burke, who she said was 'solid' and 'capable', appointed to the Cabinet. Photograph: Chris Maddaloni/The Irish Times

“I also like his recognition that there’s a lot of people in rural Ireland feeling that we’re in a two-tier country,” she added. “I hope to see the party re-embrace our Christian Democratic values under the new leadership.”

She too would like to see Mr Burke, who she said was “solid”, “capable” and has “the common touch”, appointed to the Cabinet.

Timmy Eoin O’Sullivan from Clare also said Mr Burke would be a “great addition”.

“He’s a chartered accountant. He would bring great professional and political experience to Cabinet perhaps in the enterprise portfolio.”

[ Simon Harris’s vague commitments leave hardly a single area of Government untroubled ]

Mr O’Sullivan said there should be a Munster-based Cabinet minister and “the best person to fill this vacancy” would be Limerick County TD Patrick O’Donovan, Minister of State for the Office of Public Works.

“I believe he’d be a strong voice for Cabinet, and he’s very good in his portfolio and well regarded within the party.”

Aaron Sweeney, a local election candidate in Milford, Co Donegal, said: “It’s great to see a renewed energetic leader taking us forward especially with an upcoming local election and the general election next year”. He said a priority for Mr Harris should be the redress scheme for the mica-damaged homes in Donegal.

Aaron Sweeney said he would like to see Ms Naughton and Ms Carroll MacNeill appointed as senior ministers. Photograph: Chris Maddaloni/The Irish Times

“They need 100 per cent redress. The current scheme is not fit for purpose. So I’ll be asking Simon Harris personally to relook at the scheme. I would hope that he would see the importance of it,” he said.

Mr Sweeney said he would like to see Ms Naughton and Ms Carroll MacNeill appointed as senior ministers.

Cllr Peter Keaveney, from Ballinasloe, Co Galway, said he would like to see Mr Burke and Minister of State Neale Richmond appointed to Cabinet. “They seem to be two good guys, I’ve listened to them on a lot of occasions ... They seem to be very capable people and that’s what you need in this new Cabinet for the next 12 months.”

All seven Fine Gael members said they do not want their party to go into government with Sinn Féin after the next general election, with Mr Sweeney saying he would resign his party membership if they did.

Mr O’Sullivan went a little further. “I would tear up my membership card if we did. I’d be that forthright about it. We’re just too far apart in our values, our outlook, the way we govern, the way we do party political politics, our outlook on the European Union, the economy. The gap is too big and I believe we’re the real alternative to Sinn Féin.”

Cllr Keaveney said: “I just don’t think we’re compatible. I don’t think we’ve anything in common with them to be quite honest”.

Fine GaelSimon HarrisSimon CoveneyPeter BurkeJennifer Carroll MacNeillHildegarde Naughton