Simon Harris contacts Independent TDs seeking support for his nomination as Taoiseach

Mr Harris is expected to meet with Independent TDs Peter Fitzpatrick, Denis Naughton, and Noel Grealish later this week, with Mr Fitzpatrick confirming he spoke with the new Fine Gael leader on the phone already. Picture: Leah Farrell /  RollingNews.ie

Fine Gael leader Simon Harris is due to meet with Independent TDs in advance of next week’s vote for Taoiseach, as he aims to gather more support for his nomination.

A number of Independent TDs have confirmed Mr Harris has contacted them in recent days.

Mr Harris is expected to meet with Independent TDs Peter Fitzpatrick, Denis Naughton, and Noel Grealish later this week, with Mr Fitzpatrick confirming he spoke with the new Fine Gael leader on the phone already.

While the Government does have a working majority in the Dáil at present, the support of Independents will give the coalition some breathing room ahead of next Tuesday’s vote.

One Independent TD, Marc MacSharry, has already indicated he would support Mr Harris’s nomination for Taoiseach.

In a statement, Mr MacSharry said this was due to Mr Harris’s support for the amalgamation St Angela’s College with the Atlantic Technological University.

He also said the upcoming local and European elections, as well as the Patent Court referendum were “enough for this year”.

“The general election will come soon enough in the early spring of next year. In the meantime, the Government and the Oireachtas must urgently focus on addressing the misalignment of policy on our housing emergency, immigration, health and aspects of the circular economy,” Mr MacSharry said.

Waterford Independent TD Matt Shanahan said he was expecting Mr Harris to contact him in the near future, adding he wished to hear his thoughts on issues including on job supports to small and medium businesses.

Mr Shanahan also said he hoped to discuss promises Mr Harris has made about South East Technological University during his time as higher education minister.

However, a number of TDs from both the Independent grouping and Rural Independent grouping have already indicated they will not support Mr Harris, including the Healy-Raes, Mattie McGrath, Michael McNamara, and Thomas Pringle.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Mr Harris said that he has engaged “intensively” with both Fine Gael TDs and coalition leaders over recent days.

“I am of course engaging with people from across the political spectrum. It’s a statement of fact that a number of independents have, on occasion, supported the Government and supported the election of a Taoiseach,” Mr Harris said.

“I want to ascertain from members of the independent benches their views in relation to that.” 

Asked if it was transactional, Mr Harris said it was not and that he wished to engage with Independent TDs ahead of the vote.

“The Government obviously has a majority in the Dáil but of course I want to talk to the Independents who have in the past supported the Government to see if they’re minded to do so again. I think it’s a normal part of the process in the run up to the election of a Taoiseach on the 9th of April.” 

The Fine Gael leader did not detail plans for a Cabinet reshuffle, saying he would consider them “in the days ahead”.