Simon Harris to ask departing and 'crowd-drawing' TDs to play role in rejuvenating party

Incoming Taoiseach eager to give departing TDs, including Ciaran Cannon, John Paul Phelan, Brendan Griffin and Fergus O'Dowd, greater responsibility over the future of the party

It is understood Mr Harris acknowledges the experience many departing politicians have and wants to harness this to rejuvenate the party. Picture: Leah Farrell / © RollingNews.ie

Simon Harris will be asking departing Fine Gael TDs to step back up to the plate with greater roles in the party.

The incoming Taoiseach is expected to meet with the more than 10 TDs within his party who have already indicated they will not be running in the next election to ask them to take a more proactive role in the future of Fine Gael.

It is understood Mr Harris acknowledges the experience many departing politicians have and wants to harness this to rejuvenate the party.

Former ministers are now expected to be asked to input into the development of policy, including former agriculture minister Michael Creed, who could be pivotal in formulating rural party positions.

Given their standing in the party, "crowd-drawing" TDs, including Richard Bruton and Charlie Flanagan, could also be asked to attend Fine Gael election rallies and events around the country, especially in the lead-up June's local and EU elections.

While Mr Harris is now unlikely to lure many back to run again for the Dáil, he is eager to give departing TDs, including Ciaran Cannon, John Paul Phelan, Brendan Griffin and Fergus O'Dowd, greater responsibility over the future of the party.

Sinn Féin call for general election

Sinn Féin housing spokesperson Éoin Ó Broin dubbed Mr Harris a 'lame-duck Taoiseach' who will be leading a 'lame-duck government' without a mandate from the people. Picture: Leah Farrell/Rollingnews.ie

Meanwhile, Sinn Féin has attacked Simon Harris on being "silent" on the issue of housing and has called for an immediate general election.

The party's housing spokesperson Éoin Ó Broin dubbed Mr Harris a "lame-duck Taoiseach" who will be leading a "lame-duck government" without a mandate from the people.

He said Mr Harris had said "nothing about housing, nothing about escalating homelessness, nothing about escalating house prices or rents", since he was appointed leader of Fine Gael, adding "if he cares he need to start telling people that he does and what he's going to do differently".

Mr Ó Broin said: "I can't think of a single thing he has said on the issue of housing and homelessness."

Calling on Mr Harris to call a general election, Mr Ó Broin said: "The Taoiseach needs a mandate from the people and if a Taoiseach does not have a mandate from the people through a general election, they won't be able to govern."

Asked if the same rules would apply to a Sinn Féin government if Mary Lou McDonald stood down mid-term, he said: "No matter who is in government, whether it's Sinn Fein, Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael, if there is going to be a Taoiseach, it has to be tested at a general election."

He added voters were sophisticated and knew that in a general election they were not just voting for individual TDs or parties, but "who they think is best placed to be Taoiseach".