Simon Harris: 'Mothers do so much, us fathers need to be able to step up too'

Tánaiste's third child Aoileen was born on October 3, just four days before Budget 2027

Simon Harris: 'Welcome Baby Aoileann! Thank you to so many people for their kind wishes in recent days.' Picture: @simonharristd/Instagram

Tánaiste Simon Harris has paid tribute to staff in the neonatal intensive care unit in Holles Street Maternity Hospital following the birth of his third child.

Sharing a picture of the newborn on social media, the Fine Gael leader said that his paternity leave is continuing as it is “important and needed”.

Aoileen was born on October 3, just four days before Budget 2027 — Mr Harris’ first budget as finance minister.

The Wicklow TD and his wife, Caoimhe, are also parents to Saoirse, 7, and  Cillian, 5.

Taking to social media to share pictures of the baby, Mr Harris thanked the staff who looked after Aoileann in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and the high dependency unit (HDU) in Holles Street Hospital.

“Welcome Baby Aoileann! Thank you to so many people for their kind wishes in recent days,” Mr Harris said.

“Saoirse and Cillian are delighted to have a new little sister and mum is doing well. Our kids are so lucky to have such a brilliant mum.

“We are grateful to the amazing staff in the National Maternity Hospital for all the care and support, particularly those in the NICU/HDU in Aoileann’s first days.”

Mr Harris added that when he became leader of Fine Gael, he said that his “most important job would remain being a dad”.

He will continue his paternity leave, which he started the Saturday after the budget. He described the leave as “important and needed”.

“Mothers do so much, us fathers need to be able to step up too and also to have that precious time,” he added.

“I look forward to being back at it all soon. Thanks to all my colleagues and team for their help with this too.”