LIVEDáil votes to approve Simon Harris's new Cabinet
President Higgins presents new ministers with their Seal of Office at Áras an Uachtaráin. Picture: Maxwells
Simon Harris has been voted in as the new Taoiseach by the Dáil and given the seal of office by President Higgins.
Mr Harris's new Cabinet, which includes promotions for Patrick O'Donovan and Peter Burke to senior positions, was voted through by the Dáil this evening.
Mr Harris's Cabinet is made up of:
- Simon Harris - Taoiseach;
- Micheál Martin - Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence;
- Eamon Ryan - Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Minster for Transport;
- Michael McGrath - Minister for Finance;
- Paschal Donohoe - Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform;
- Helen McEntee - Minister for Justice;
- Stephen Donnelly - Minister for Health;
- Norma Foley - Minister for Education;
- Darragh O'Brien - Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage;
- Peter Burke - Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment;
- Catherine Martin - Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media;
- Heather Humphreys - Minister for Social Protection and Minister for Rural and Community Development;
- Charlie McConalogue - Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine;
- Roderic O'Gorman - Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth;
- Patrick O'Donovan - Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science;
- Hildegarde Naughton - Government Chief Whip; Minister of State for Special Education;
- Jack Chambers - Minister of State for International and Road Transport and Logistics and Minister of State for Postal Policy;
- Senator Pippa Hackett - Minister of State for Land Use and Biodiversity
The Simon Harris-led government has officially been appointed by President Michael D Higgins.
Ministers have received their seals of office by the new Taoiseach and the President.
They each individually received their seals of office, having been elected by the Dáil earlier this evening.
The new Government has officially been appointed by the Dáil this evening, with 87 votes in favour and 68 against.
The Coalition members, led by Taoiseach Simon Harris, will now travel to Áras an Uachtaráin to receive their seals of office from President Michael D Higgins.
They are expected to hold a brief Cabinet meeting later this evening.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald takes to her feet criticising the “out of touch” Government’s record on several issues such as health and housing.
On Mr Harris’s housing pledges, she says “people didn’t come down in the last shower” and they “know this is just more spin”.
“I have to hand it to you,” she says. “The soundbites and slogans have gone into overdrive in a brazen effort to paint this as something new.
“This Government is like the last guest at a party who’s worn out their welcome but still won’t go home.”
Ms McDonald says the Government has failed “comprehensively” in terms of keeping communities safe.
“The party of law and order, my eye,” she says of Fine Gael, accusing them of underinvesting in community development.
“Safe communities grow from the grassroots up. You don’t get that though.”
She says that the Taoiseach put his money where his mouth is on Palestine. "Recognition of the State of Palestine has to happen now, why delay?"
Eamon Ryan is the latest to speak in the Dáil, but there are continuous interruptions from several TDs on the Independent benches, including Danny Healy-Rae.
The Environment Minister is speaking about the impact of climate change, describing it as one of the "most important issues".
Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl interjects to call on the interrupting TDs to let Mr Ryan speak, but also calls on the Green Party leader to speak through him and not provoke the Independent TDs.
Tánaiste Micheál Martin describes the shouts as "a wonderful cacophony of sound".
Mr Ryan says his Department will speak to opposition TDs from Waterford, Cork and Wexford next week to establish a new Government plan for offshore wind in these three counties.
He also praises Mr Martin for Ireland's planned recognition of Palestine in the coming months.
Micheál Martin is now speaking, and begins with a tribute to his long-time constituency rival Simon Coveney.
Again, the Tánaiste criticises the “blinkered nature” of the opposition that he says is “cartoonishly over the top”. Mr Martin defends the progress made by the Government in the face of a “profoundly cynical opposition”.
“In area after area, we’ve been working in good faith,” he says, before turning to his own priorities.
He says Gaza will remain an urgent priority, and says he has focused on building effective cooperation with other countries.
“I’m in no doubt war crimes have been committed, and I condemn the ongoing bombardment of the Gazan people,” he says.
Diplomacy will achieve far more for the Palestinian people, Mr Martin says.
The formal recognition of a Palestinian statehood could be a catalyst to help the people of Gaza or the West Bank, he says.
“We’ve discussed this between the Government parties and it is my intention to bring to Government a formal proposal on recognition when these wider international discussions are complete,” he says.
Mr Martin adds that the recognition of a Palestinian state “will happen”, signalling a major milestone in Ireland’s stance on the issue.
Simon Harris tells the Dáil that he wants to make law and order a priority, highlighting several measures that he spoke of during his recent Ard Fheis speech, including:
- Fast-tracking of minimum sentencing laws
- Increasing penalties for knife crime and antisocial behaviour
- Provide additional powers to the Criminal Assets Bureau.
He also reiterated plans to establish a Dublin City Centre taskforce to "chart a path towards a safer and vibrant Dublin".
Mr Harris also confirmed the Government will establish a new Cabinet Committee on Children and Education and Disability at their first meeting this evening.
He also spoke about the appointment of new Higher Education Minister Patrick O'Donovan, who he told to "break down the barriers to education".
In particular, he said that the new minister should work on prioritising "labour force planning" to ensure that there are skills to develop housing "in the here and now".
He also called on Mr O'Donovan to work with Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue to establish new vet schools in rural Ireland.
Simon Harris says that the Government intends to elevate its "level of ambition and urgency on housing".
"We are going to build more homes and drive home ownership," he said.
"We know the waiver of development levies is working and I am working with my colleagues to extend this so that it remains cheaper to build and cheaper to buy a home."
On health, Mr Harris said that the Government will open more beds and theatres, alongside recruiting more staff into the health service.
Mr Harris also spoke on how businesses are "hurting" and that he wants new Enterprise Minister Peter Burke to "bring his passion and drive" to his new Department.
"I have asked him to work with the Local Enterprise Offices to ensure they are maximising their capacity to provide grants, mentoring and training to small businesses in each county," Mr Harris said.
The new Taoiseach is on his feet, telling the Dáil that the new Government will be "energetic and laser-focused on delivery".
Mr Harris confirmed the appointment of Jennifer Carroll MacNeill as the new junior minister for European Affairs and Defence.
The remaining two junior ministers are due to be appointed tomorrow.
The new Cabinet has arrived in the Dáil chamber in the last few minutes, with a vote now taking place to permit Taoiseach Simon Harris to form the 34th Government.
Alongside the appointments of Peter Burke as Enterprise Minister and Patrick O'Donovan as Further and Higher Education Minister, the remaining Fine Gael cabinet is remaining in place, with some slight changes.
The Fine Gael cabinet members include:
- Paschal Donohoe, who is set to remain as Public Expenditure Minister.
- Helen McEntee, who is set to remain as Minister for Justice.
- Heather Humphreys, who will remain as Social Protection Minister and Rural Affairs Minister.
- Hildegarde Naughton, who will remain as the Government Chief Whip and will also take on Josepha Madigan's former brief of special education.
Limerick TD Patrick O'Donovan will become the new Further and Higher Education Minister, with Hildegarde Naughton remaining as Chief Whip.
Mr O'Donovan, the current OPW minister, will replace Mr Harris in his role as Further Education Minister.
Ms Naughton will also take on the special education portfolio, paving the way for Cork North-Central's Colm Burke to become the new junior health minister with responsibility for drugs strategy.
Junior ministers are to be named on Wednesday.
The understands that Peter Burke is to be appointed as Enterprise Minister.
Mr Burke, who currently is a junior minister in the European Affairs brief, will sit at Cabinet and replaces Simon Coveney.
Peter Burke has been seen entering Government Buildings - it is expected that he will be made Enterprise Minister by the new Taoiseach.
As we wait for the Dáil to resume, Paul Hosford reflects on a "day of change" at Leinster House as Simon Harris was voted in as Taoiseach.
Mr Harris will not appoint his Ministers of State until tomorrow, but it is expected that Neale Richmond will move into the junior finance position currently held by Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, who will be appointed to European Affairs.
In his new role, Mr Richmond will be asked to focus on insurance following a Supreme Court decision today which upheld personal injury award guidelines.
Emer Higgins is expected to move into Mr Richmond's Business, Employment and Retail role.
It is understood that is seen as important to have a Dublin-based TD in this position Meanwhile, with Patrick O'Donovan expected to get a seat at Cabinet this afternoon, Alan Dillon is tipped to be appointed to the OPW portfolio.
Finally, Colm Burke is expected to be appointed Minister of State for Special Education after Josepha Madigan recently resigned from the post.
Simon Harris has formally become the new Taoiseach during a ceremony with President Michael D Higgins at his official residence at Áras an Uachtaráin in Dublin.
At the appointment ceremony, President Michael D Higgins signed the Warrant of Appointment and handed the Seal of the Taoiseach and the Seal of Government to Simon Harris.
The President and Taoiseach then posed for photographs for waiting media.
Mr Harris has arrived at Áras an Uachtaráin to be given the seal of office by President Higgins.
Mr Harris vows to be a Taoiseach “for all”, regardless of political persuasion.
“I want to work every day to improve the lives for all in this country,” he says. “The Irish story is a story of hope and of optimism. Once again, we must ensure it lights our way forward. Let us not make the mistake of giving into pessimism and despair about our future.
“We can and must rise above partisan politics by working together to solve the greatest challenges of our time. The people expect us to do more. We should demand of ourselves no less.”
And that’s the end of his speech.
Simon Harris will soon be on his way to the Áras after he shakes hands with the assembled TDs in the chamber.
And the Dáil will resume again to ratify the selection of new Government ministers at 5.30pm.
In his first speech as Taoiseach-elect, Mr Harris says: “It is 13 years since I made my maiden speech in this chamber to nominate Enda Kenny as Taoiseach. I promise to preside over a Government committed to public service at a time when such commitment is urgently required.”
He says he’s ready for the challenge and full of the energy that is required.
“This is not about me, it’s about all of us working together to serve the people,” he says.
“Collectively, this country can and should be proud of the progress that has been made. Now is an opportune moment to build a new social contract, to build on our promise as a republic.
“Time is short. There is lots to do.” Mr Harris says he wants a tolerant, compassionate and respectful Ireland. He says it’s a time when leadership matters, and references the situations in Ukraine and Gaza.
He says he will deliver Ireland’s views on this in Brussels later this week
Taoiseach-elect Simon Harris has thanked the Government parties and Independent TDs who supported his nomination.
He says that the current Government is a partnership and that he intends to lead it in the "spirit of unity".
Mr Harris pays tribute to both Leo Varadkar and Simon Coveney for their work at Cabinet over recent years.
He says that his parents, Mary and Bart, have been the driving force and that he would not have made it to the Taoiseach's office without them.
Simon Harris has been voted as the new Taoiseach by the Dáil.
There is much shaking of hands and a standing ovation from the Government side of the House.
His plan now is to head to Áras an Uachtaráin to formally be appointed Taoiseach of Ireland.
“I really do believe this is a memory that will be firmly ensconced in Cillian and Saoirse,” the Ceann Comhairle says, addressing Mr Harris’ family in the gallery.
The votes came in one by one there, and Simon Harris will soon be announced as the next Taoiseach. He had 88 votes in favour of his nomination compared to 69 against.
Clare Fine Gael TD Joe Carey is not present for the vote to nominate Simon Harris as Taoiseach. He has been absent from the Dáil since he suffered health issues which saw him admitted to hospital last year.
As TDs gather in the Dáil for the vote to elect Simon Harris as Taoiseach speculation continues to mount about his Cabinet choices.
It is understood that Peter Burke has not been given any indication as to what position he might get and has not been contacted by Mr Harris as of yet.
However, he has been widely tipped to take over from Simon Coveney as Enterprise Minister.
It is being speculated that Neale Richmond could now be left as a junior minister, while most around Leinster House are predicting a toss-up between Hildegarde Naughton and Patrick O'Donovan for the Higher Education portfolio and the chief whip position
And now, after all that, they’re now voting on the new Taoiseach. Simon Harris comfortably has the numbers so it's pretty much a foregone conclusion.
Joan Collins says we’re getting the “same old, stale, out-of-touch political system” with the coalition parties playing “musical chairs”.
Catherine Connolly says she can’t support Mr Harris’ nomination, and that the Government believes that the problems in this country are “collateral damage” to a successful economy.
“We urgenty require transformative change,” she says. “These are not empty words.”
Next is Michael McNamara, who says the cost of Government has “ballooned” since Mr Harris came to Cabinet but that it hasn’t matched the public services people are getting. “Where is the money going?” he asks. “It is simply unclear.”
Mattie McGrath is up now, seconding the nomination of Michael Healy-Rae.
He says Mr Varadkar leaving is akin to the captain of the ship getting off first when there’s a shipwreck.
“The people in 2020 voted for change,” Mr McGrath says. “They got no change.”
He says he has a letter written by Simon Harris in 2011 to a pro-life group supporting their stance, while Mr Harris eventually campaigned to repeal the eighth amendment.
“How can we trust you?” the Tipperary TD says.
“Moving the deck chairs on this ship tonight is not going to do anything for anybody.”
Independent TD Danny Healy-Rae proposes his brother Micheal Healy-Rae to be the next Taoiseach in his speech this afternoon.
He tells the Dáil that he believes his brother is "well capable" of carrying out the task due to his understanding of the public.
"Like myself, he knows what the people need and what they are concerned about," he says.
The older Healy-Rae brother does pay tribute to outgoing Taoiseach Leo Varadkar
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín goes after Mr Harris. He says that the “Taoiseach carousel is continuing” with Mr Harris’ election as Taoiseach.
He says Mr Harris is “very good... at spin” and has been “throwing promises around like confetti”.
“I don’t believe he is a man of conviction,” he says, going through a number of issues from the Taoiseach-in-waiting's time in the Department of Health.
Independent Waterford TD Matt Shanahan says he won’t vote for Mr Harris as Taoiseach, and criticises his lack of delivery of a university in the region.
“I hope your tenure signals the winds of positive change for the south-east,” he says, perhaps channelling Mick Barry’s invoking of classic tunes as he finishes up.
Cork TD Mick Barry references Mr Harris's new 'theme tune', by Bachman Turner-Overdrive.
"It's a great song. I can think of one or two other tunes from that decade that might be more appropriate. For example, I can think of 'The Who' ' from 1971," Mr Barry said.
"It might sum up the mood of the electorate a little better and it does have the closing lyric: 'Meet the new boss, same as the old boss'."
At the end of Mr Barry's speech, Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl quipped that he might "bring a turntable the next time"
People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett said that Fine Gael are "putting on a brave face" around the election of Simon Harris as Taoiseach, citing the large number of the parliamentary party who will leave politics at the next general election.
"The reason they are abandoning the Fine Gael ship and don't want to face the electorate is because they know they have failed," Mr Boyd Barrett said.
In particular, he highlights the housing and homelessness crisis, describing it as "shameful" that there are over 4,000 children without secure accommodation.
"It is absolutely shameful that in a country as wealthy as ours, a generation of young and working people are priced out of the possibility of ever owning their own home," Mr Boyd Barrett said, adding that many are opting to emigrate instead.
Social Democrat leader Holly Cairns now on her feet. She pays tribute to Leo Varadkar and wishes Simon Harris well.
“However, we are facing serious challenges as a country,” she says. “And in order to address them, we need new ideas. For that, we need a new Government.”
On disability services, she says successive governments have left services “threadbare, underfunded and understaffed”.
“The reality is it’s ruining people’s lives,” Ms Cairns says.
Ms Cairns also goes on the attack on housing. “How can anyone start a family when they’re always a letter away from an eviction?” she asks.
“It’s stressful, it’s damaging and it’s preventable. There is another way. We could introduce a no-fault eviction ban. We could introduce a three-year rent freeze. We could stop the bulk buying of homes by investment funds. And crucially, we need to acknowledge the developer-led model of housing dependent on private sector has failed.
“Nobody is saying it’s easy but none of the challenges facing us in housing are insurmountable.”
Labour leader Ivana Bacik is next up, and starts with a similar theme of this being the third Taoiseach nominated during this Dáil term.
“I think it’s important we’re respectful in politics,” she says.
“From what we have heard, Mr Harris’ elevation will not deliver the change we need. That’s why we in the Labour Party cannot support the Fine Gael nomination of Taoiseach.
“The appointment of another temporary Taoiseach by this coalition is just superficial change, not the radical change the people so badly need. That’s why we have called for a general election now.”
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald is up speaking now, highlighting that this is the third time in four years that a Taoiseach has been elected.
"The narrative we hear today from Government is a fairy tale so outrageous that Hans Christian Andersen would be proud of it," Ms McDonald said.
"For people to believe the spin from the Government benches, they would have to suspend all connection with reality."
She describes the Government as a "century-old cozy club" and that it is attempting to cling on to power "at all costs".
"I believe the people of Ireland deserve so much better because this is a country full of talent, ideas and yes, optimism."
She reiterates Sinn Féin's call for an immediate general election, saying that support for the Government should be put to the people.
Green Party leader Eamon Ryan is now speaking. He begins by thanking Leo Varadkar, and says he leaves a record of our economy never being stronger.
“Your timing in how you managed Brexit, and knowing when the time for a deal was will stand real recognition,” he says. “And that time in 2020 when fear of Covid was real and strong in the land, you showed real leadership.”
He also pays tribute to Simon Coveney.
“I remember that very difficult period during the financial crash, when it couldn’t have gotten harder, there was contact between the opposition and Government,” he says. “It was the public interest you were thinking of, not just your party’s interests.”
He says a partnership approach works for his country, and that’s what this Government has committed to.
“I hear others saying ‘election now’, and I fundamentally disagree because there’s work to be done.”
"Rather than an election, so much has to be delivered such as a future broadcast funding mechanism to combat “one of the biggest challenges of our time, which is the misinformation and disinformation that is widespread across the land and across the world”.
Tánaiste Micheál Martin is next to speak, saying Leo Varadkar has served his "community, his party and his country in our democratic republic".
Mr Martin thanked Mr Varadkar for his service and that he appreciated the "honest and open" discussions they had while in Government together.
The Tánaiste hits out at the opposition during his speech, saying that no party or TD has a mandate to "claim to represent the views of all Irish people".
He also paid tribute to Simon Harris, congratulating him and his family and describing it as a "special day" for them.
Peter Burke has seconded the nomination of Simon Harris as Taoiseach.
On Mr Harris, he says: “At the age of 24 in 2011, he was elected to this house. Simon quickly displayed the attributed needed to be a minister. The ability to listen, compassion and an agile mind. And the ability to speak without hesitation, a firm belief in his abilities.”
Since 2016, Ireland has faced into major challenges that would usually be a “once in a generational-type event”.
“Simon Harris was part of that team who managed that process who managed Ireland at a very difficult time,” Mr Burke says.
“As Minister for Higher Education, he broke down barriers to education brick-by-brick.
“Simon Harris knows that education is the most powerful catalyst to accelerate change.”
Mr Burke concludes by saying Mr Harris will lead with renewed energy and compassion, bring it right back to the core of politics.
“He has endless amounts of energy,” Ms Humphreys added, continuing the recent Fine Gael mantra of Mr Harris having the “energy” to reinvigorate the party.
“Simon Harris was not born with a silver spoon in his mouth,” she said, while also paying tribute to his family. “From my experience, taxi drivers normally have their fingers on the pulse.
"So if I was to give you one piece of advice today, Simon, it’s to listen to your father.”
“I am very proud to nominate him for position of Taoiseach,” Ms Humphreys concluded, after a short tribute to Leo Varadkar.
Mr Harris’ nomination is now being seconded by Cabinet member in waiting Peter Burke.
New Fine Gael deputy leader Heather Humphreys has formally nominated Simon Harris as Taoiseach in the Dáil this morning.
Ms Humphreys said: “The first time I came to the Dáil was 9 March 2011. Like any first time TD I was nervous.
“I saw this young lad walking around the place and said ‘sure, he must be on a school tour’. You can imagine my surprise when I saw him stand up to nominate Enda Kenny as Taoiseach.
“Anybody who heard him that day knew from the start he’d go far. It’s a great honour for me today to nominate him to be our next Taoiseach.”
Following Mr Varadkar's speech, chief whip Hildegarde Naughton outlined the Government's plan for Dáil buiness for this week.
However, when the opposition disagreed with this plan of action, Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl interjected: “The whole country is looking in. Can we please behave with a bit of decorum?”
Opposition TDs labelled the process as a "jamboree" and a "charade" among other things
The Dáil is now voting on whether it will vote on the election of a new Taoiseach
Paying tribute to incoming Taoiseach Mr Harris, Mr Varadkar said that he knew the Fine Gael leader would arrive at the office one day.
"I always knew he would be Taoiseach one day. This is perhaps coming a little bit sooner than he might have planned or expected, but I know he will rise to the occasion," Mr Varadkar said.
"He has empathy, energy, experience, campaigning skills and political antennae to take us forward."
Mr Varadkar finishes his speech and gets a standing ovation from the Government benches.
However, he did not receive one from the opposition.
On the health service, Mr Varadkar said it is not a "black hole" and that it can be fixed.
"It's just expensive, takes time and is never easy due to resistance to reform. Just don't give up."
He also spoke about Ireland's national security, in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine by Russia.
He said European leaders see "dark clouds" on the horizon, which he hopes are wrong.
"We have to be prepared for the consequences of an attack on an EU country and how we would respond to that," Mr Varadkar said.
Mr Varadkar said the future Government should "guard against excessive caution" and that advice from officials, advisory bodies and academics may seek to play it safe.
"It is not always the best advice," Mr Varadkar said. He said it could not have been predicted the economy would spring back so quickly after the 2008 economic crash, and that some decisions should have been made sooner.
Outgoing Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is on his feet in the Dáíl to deliver his final speech in the role.
"It has been the most fulfilling and rewarding time of my life," Mr Varadkar said, of his time as a TD, Minister and Taoiseach.
"But today is the beginning of a new era for my party, a new chapter in my life and a new phase for this coalition Government."
The outgoing Taoiseach defended the Government's record on issues like health and housing.
On housing in particular, Mr Varadkar said that issues have been caused by challenges in the construction sector, alongside rising populations and incomes.
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The understands that junior finance minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill is set to be appointed to the expanded European Affairs role. Sources close to Mr Harris said that he wants to put someone into the role who he "rates highly".
While we wait for Simon Harris to arrive at the Dáil, here's what our Special Correspondent Mick Clifford had to say about the next Taoiseach and his policies.
While Mr Harris will announce his cabinet today, junior ministerial hopefuls will have to wait until Wednesday to learn their fate.
Here's a report from Political Reporter Paul Hosford on how the office of Taoiseach typically changes hands.
Independent TD for Galway East Seán Canney has told that he will be supporting Simon Harris in today's Dáil proceedings.
Independent TDs Noel Grealish, Dennis Naughten, Cathal Berry, Marc McSharry, Peter Fitzpatrick, and Michael Lowery, have already stated that they will be backing Mr Harris.
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