Simon Harris becomes Ireland's youngest ever Taoiseach

Ireland has a new Taoiseach with Simon Harris officially appointed Ireland’s 16th and youngest ever Taoiseach at the age of 37.

His appointment was confirmed today during a ceremony with President Michael D Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin in Dublin.

Earlier, TDs in the Dáil backed his nomination to become the country’s new Taoiseach by 88 votes to 69.

Among those who chose not to back his nomination was Sligo Leitrim TD Marian Harkin.

“Minister Harris, I cannot vote for you as Taoiseach because after four years of this Government and 13 years of Fine Gael in government you have not delivered for the north west,” she told today’s Dail debate.

“In the key critical areas affecting people’s lives successive Governments in which Fine Gael has participated have not delivered.

“You have not addressed or delivered housing for the north west. CSO housing commencements show that in 2023 the four counties I represent, Sligo, Leitrim, North Roscommon and South Donegal were in the bottom 10 counties when it came to housing commencements on a per capita basis.”

Meanwhile on behalf of Donegal hotels and guesthouses, Aisling Arnold, Chair of the Donegal Branch of the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) has congratulated Simon Harris on his election as Taoiseach.

She said Mr Harris’s election comes at a critical junction for Irish tourism and hospitality, with local businesses facing enormous pressure in relation to escalating operating costs.

“I would like to congratulate Simon Harris on becoming Taoiseach,” she said.

“He has been a firm supporter of Irish tourism throughout his career, and we look forward to continuing to work with him and his colleagues in Government to address the challenges now facing our industry, including in relation to business costs.”

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