Harris ‘obsessed’ with delivery as party meets to mull plan for new government
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Taoiseach Simon Harris has said he will be “obsessed” with delivery over the next five years when Ireland’s next government is formed. The Irish premier was speaking as members of his Fine Gael party met in Dublin to begin the process of ratifying the draft programme for government.
Mr Harris also said there needed to be clarification over whether members of the Regional Independents group which will form part of the prospective new government can also form a technical group on the opposition benches. Following the results of Ireland’s general election in December, Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and a group of independent TDs have agreed the plan which is expected to lead to the formation of the new government.
The 162-page programme for government, published this week, includes smaller class sizes, reduced childcare costs and more gardai among its priorities. Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin is expected to replace Mr Harris as Toaiseach when the Dail meets on Wednesday and the new coalition is formed.
He will hold the office for three years before it then reverts back to Mr Harris for another two years. But first the parties must ratify the draft governmental plan. Fianna Fail will hold a special Ard Fheis on Sunday. Fine Gael is holding a series of regional meetings over the coming days.
Speaking before the first meeting got under way, Mr Harris said: “This is a new process for my party, the first time that we are holding a series of regional meetings right across the country where every member who has been a member for two years or more has a vote in our electoral college system.
