Elaine Loughlin: Harris returns to the old reliables as heavy hitters come in from the cold
Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe talks to 'Irish Examiner' political editor Elaine Loughlin at the Fine Gael ard fheis in Galway. Picture: Dan Linehan
As storm-force winds rolled in to Galway Bay, so too did some of Fine Gael’s former heavy hitters.
People-watching in the main reception hall at the Fine Gael ard fheis was like tuning into a political version of as grassroots members mingled with returning party elite.
The retro logo adopted for the gathering also matched the mantra of going back to the core values of Fine Gael: A party of farmers, a party for business, and a party of law and order.
Ahead of the event there had been plenty of speculation around who the VIP guests appearing might be. It didn’t take long for the first to appear.
Shortly after mid-day, former TD Kate O’Connell arrived to the event in the University of Galway with her sister Mary — who also previously stood for election for Fine Gael — full of intentions around her own political future.
Never one to mince her words, the former Dublin Bay South politician made it clear that she is back in the fold after “a dark enough chapter” under the leadership of Varadkar.
Others in the back-in-the-fold gang, who were given distinctive baby pink lanyards, included former ministers Pat Breen, Tom Hayes, Frances Fitzgerald, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, and Marcella Corcoran Kennedy.
Former Longford TD James Bannon also made an appearance, as did Tony McLoughlin, Michelle Mulherin, and Gabrielle McFadden.
The old-school cast, which also included many background party advisers from the Enda Kenny era, buoyed up the crowd, prompting much discussion about rejuvenation, getting back to what the party stands for, and maybe even encouraging the gang of 11 departing TDs to take another run in the next general election.
One former minister, attending the event after an absence of many years, was also there to show support for the new leader, but admitted that they would “need a lobotomy” to ever contemplate running for election again. Another member remarked: “I like Simon, he’s not like the other lad; I couldn’t stand him.”
There were whisperings all day that Big Phil would also be there to support Harris ahead of his first televised ard fheis speech as leader.
The former EU commissioner was elusive all afternoon, but just minutes before outgoing Taoiseach Varadkar took to the stage, Hogan showed up, escorting invited ambassadors to their seats.
“A storm is brewing,” declared Mayo TD Alan Dillon from the stage, referring not to Kathleen bashing outside, but Harris waiting in the wings. Then another one of the pink-lanyard group appeared. Unable to attend the ard fheis in person, former taoiseach Enda Kenny beamed in via video link.
“My message to you this evening from far-away New Zealand is to get out of your comfort zone. Get out of your seats, rise up and again defend the principles that this party stands for,” he said.
“Commit that you will match the energy of your new leader because come the next one, the mother and father of all elections, he will need your help,” Kenny said.
The clouds had lifted, the winds died down, and blue skies were re-emerging as members left the hall in the University of Galway after listening to their new leader.
One woman even stopped to take a picture of a cluster of pink cherry blossoms in full bloom on campus. Harris may have weathered his first storm, but he will have plenty more challenges, starting with the selection of his cabinet this week.
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