Fine Gael will not just use their “new energy” slogan for campaigning, they plan to bring it into the Dáil, the Tánaiste has said.
In the face of the latest Business Post poll showing a drop in support for Fine Gael by three points, party leader Simon Harris said his party “must deliver” for the Irish people.
On The Pat Kenny Show, Tánaiste Simon Harris said he believes that despite these polls showing a drop in support for his party, ultimately, they will be judged based on their delivery over the next four years.
“Look, I think we’re about what four-and-a-half years out from general elections and local elections and European elections, and I think people will ultimately be judged at the end of this Dáil term based on what they have done for the Irish people in terms of delivery,” he said.
“That’s certainly where my full focus is on delivering for the Irish people – we got a mandate from them, we saw a lot of the pundits, we proved them wrong in terms of getting more votes in the local elections than any other party, more votes in the European elections than any other party, gaining seats in the Dáil, gaining votes in the Dáil, and getting back into Government.
“But now it’s really about delivery and quite frankly, until you’re much closer to an election polls are just interesting but not profound.”
Simon Harris delivering his first address as Fine Gael at the party’s 82nd Ard Fheis in Galway, 06/04/2024.
The Tánaiste claims he has “no intention of slowing down”.
“I think what my party must do is deliver for the Irish people and, of course, the world is an extraordinarily busy place at the moment, both domestically and abroad… I have no intention of slowing down – I can assure the people of that,” he said.
“But what I certainly do intend to do is ensure when I talk about new energy, it’s not just new energy in terms of campaigning, it’s new energy in terms of delivering for the Irish people.
“I’ve said to all my ministers, all my new TDs and Senators: Delivery, delivery, delivery for the Irish people is at the heart of what we must be about.”
Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris (centre) poses with European local election candidates following a launch event for his party’s European and local election manifestos in Dublin. Picture date: Monday May 27, 2024.
In terms of ‘Liberation Day’ and the expected incoming tariffs from US President Donald Trump, Mr Harris said Ireland is approaching from “a position of strength”.
“Look, what I want to say to the listeners is this: We’re certainly about to enter a period of extraordinary economic turbulence, not just in Ireland, not just in Europe, but around the world, there is no doubt that President Trump has a view of the world and intends to endeavour to impose that,” he said.
“What I would say to people, though, is [that] we are approaching this from a position of strength, a position with full employment in Ireland, where we’ve been running budget surpluses, where we’ve been setting aside money into rainy day funds.
“You’ll remember Fine Gael used to get criticised for putting money into the rainy day funds – I think we’ll be very glad that we’ve established that buffer now.
“I say this very respectfully to our colleagues in the United States, I think people are going to realise in time that the world’s a lot more interdependent than perhaps President Trump suggests from time to time.”
Simon Harris speaks to the media after being confirmed as the new leader of Fine Gael, paving the way for him to become Ireland’s youngest premier, at the Midlands North-West European Election Selection Convention, at the Sheraton Hotel, Athlone. Picture date: Sunday March 24, 2024.
The Tánaiste said that what Ireland needs to do in the days ahead is “stay calm, stay measured, work at a European level and be strategic and coordinate in how we respond, because tariffs are not good for anybody, and I think the laws of economic gravity will prove that”.
Photo shows Tánaiste and Fine Gael Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and Minister for Defence Simon Harris talking to the media. 04/03/2025 Photo: Sasko Lazarov/© RollingNews.ie