Ireland’s incoming taoiseach Simon Harris has pledged to lead his party with a “new energy” as he vowed to hit the ground running as leader.
He also addressed recent tensions in Ireland over increased immigration rates, as he pledged to oversee a “fair” but “firm” system to manage migration into the country. The 37-year-old also spoke with pride about his wife Caoimhe, a nurse, and young children Saoirse and Cillian. He characterised Fine Gael’s fundamental values as hope, enterprise, equality of opportunity, integrity and security.On his expected election as taoiseach, he added: “If given this great honour, I will take office when time is short but there is much to do.“I will stand by our values as a party and our vision as a nation. A tolerant, inclusive and outward-looking society, which is fair, caring and secure.
On the fall-out from November’s far-right influenced riots in Dublin, Mr Harris said he would immediately convene a Dublin city centre taskforce bringing together the council, retailers, business, community groups and gardai to chart a path towards a “safer and vibrant” city.Mr Harris said Ireland needed a “fair and firm system” to better manage migration.