Fine Gael gets in election mode as Harris appointed Director of Elections

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar speaking to media at the Strand Hotel, Limerick, during the Fine Gael party think-in. Picture: Brian Lawless

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has made a number of appointments signalling the party is getting in election mode.

The Irish Examiner understands that Mr Varadkar has appointed Higher Education Minister Simon Harris as the party’s national director of elections for the General Election and the Seanad election.

The Fine Gael parliamentary party is currently holding its annual think-in in Limerick today and tomorrow.

Mr Varadkar also informed party members that Trade Minister Simon Coveney will be director for European elections.

 Fine Gael TD and former junior minister Damien English will be director for local elections.

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The appointments made today have sent a clear signal that the political party is prepping for the next general election.

It comes as Mr Varadkar told reporters in Limerick that he would lead Fine Gael into the next election and reiterated that he would not form a Coalition with Sinn Féin.

The parliamentary party held discussions today on law and order and an agriculture update.

Tomorrow, the party think-in is to focus on local, European, and general election preparation, and an organisational update is set to be presented to party members by Fine Gael’s National Executive Council Chair Willie Geraghty and the party’s General Secretary John Carroll.