Simon Harris pledges to fix housing ‘once and for all’ in first ardfheis speech as Fine Gael leaderFine Gael leader Simon Harris as he arrives at the 82nd Fine Gael Ardfheis at the University of Galway. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
Mr Harris said he would “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. I am going to match that vision with action.”because of the party’s “fundamental values”, which he said were “Hope. Enterprise. Equality of opportunity. Integrity. Security. That is the Fine Gael I intend to lead, with a new energy.
“It is now time,” he said, “to convert that economic success into real and tangible improvements for all of our people”.when he told delegates: “I want to say to farmers and to rural Ireland, Fine Gael will never talk down to you on climate action. We will sit down and work with you and for you.” He also promised a package for small businesses and a plan to help farmers “within the next six weeks to act on what we have heard”.