Irish Prime Minister in Waiting Emphasizes Value of Peaceful Co-operation in Ireland. Simon Harris, speaking at his party’s conference for the first time as Fine Gael leader, hailed the significance of the Northern Ireland peace process and emphasized the need to safeguard it.
“I am determined to work together on a North South, East West basis to improve the lives of everyone across these islands,” he added.
Mr. Harris is scheduled to participate in the North/South Ministerial Council alongside the Northern Ireland Executive in Armagh on Monday, just a day before assuming the role of taoiseach. During his address in Galway, Mr. Harris expressed Ireland’s strong condemnation of Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Following Hamas gunmen’s attack on southern Israel on October 7, which resulted in about 1,200 casualties, Israeli military operations have inflicted extensive devastation upon much of the Gaza Strip. According to figures from the Hamas-run health ministry, over 33,137 individuals have lost their lives in Gaza since the commencement of these operations.
Mr Harris described the situation in Gaza as a “humanitarian catastrophe”.
“Reason has been replaced by revenge and by the bombing, maiming and death of children,” he said.
“Famine. A spectre no Irish person can bear.
“Anyone who can countenance deliberate starvation has lost their humanity.
“Prime Minister Netanyahu, the Irish people could not be clearer. We are repulsed by your actions.”
“Ceasefire now and let the aid flow safely.”
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Mr. Harris is poised to make history as the youngest-ever Taoiseach at the age of 37, taking office on Tuesday. Leo Varadkar will formally resign during a visit to Áras an Uachtaráin on Monday evening. His successor will be elected by TDs in Dáil Éireann on Tuesday morning, followed by a reshuffle of the Fine Gael cabinet.
In his address, Mr. Harris expressed gratitude to his unexpected predecessor, who stepped down in March, for his leadership during Brexit and the Covid pandemic. Under his new vision for a r”Fresh” Fine Gael, Mr. Harris emphasized that young people should feel empowered to contribute to Ireland. He pledged to start his tenure swiftly, aiming for a tolerant, inclusive, and outward-looking society that prioritizes fairness, compassion, and security.
“I am going to match that vision with action.”
Mr. Harris announced plans to extend the Help to Buy scheme for an additional five years during his tenure, which is expected to last less than a year before the next general election. He also proposed increasing the renters tax credit to over €1,000 (£858).
On finance, he said: “I am restating my ambition that nobody earning below €50,000 should pay the higher rate of income tax.
“Under my leadership we will reduce the burden of the Universal Social Charge (USC) on low and middle-income earners… hot school meals will be extended to 150,000 more children and 900 more primary schools.”
He further pledged to raise the carer’s allowance.
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