Elaine Loughlin: Taoiseach yet to learn the value of actions in politics

Simon Harris has made some big promises, but the electorate will have to put their faith in him at the ballot box to find out if he can deliver

Taoiseach Simon Harris has given plenty of indications of what he will do at the helm of government, just not this government. The policy changes and plans being proposed will come in the next administration. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA

The Dáil is back for an uncertain period, but in the time that is left Simon Harris should realise actions, not energy and rhetoric, create a positive legacy.

The Taoiseach has many priorities. Getting out and about has been a significant focus for the new Taoiseach since he was appointed five months ago.

After a brief appearance in Leinster House on Wednesday, he will on Thursday zip back down to Laois for a second day of meeting voters at the Ploughing Championships.

Harris has given plenty of indications of what he will do at the helm of government, just not this government. The policy changes and plans being proposed will come in the next administration.

These include a move towards state-provided childcare, a plan for which Harris will draw up "within the first 100 days" of the next government.

A second rate of child benefit, which would lift many families out of poverty and support the most vulnerable, is another proposal that he is open to looking at, but one which will be kicked into the next administration.

On housing, Harris has vowed to reach a construction target of 50,000 homes per year, but again not in the lifetime of this coalition.

These are all big promises, but the electorate will have to put their faith in him at the ballot box to find out if he can deliver.

This is perhaps why, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald was eager to highlight the Taoiseach's track record on Wednesday.

It is more than seven years since Harris, as Health Minister, promised that no child would be waiting more than four months for treatment for scoliosis.

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald was eager to highlight the Taoiseach's track record on Wednesday. Picture: Damien Storan/PA

McDonald used her time in the Chamber to raise the case of Harvey Sherratt, an eight-year-old boy who has scoliosis and spina bifida.

"He was born in 2016, the same year the Taoiseach was appointed Minister for Health," she reminded her Fine Gael counterpart.

"Harvey has waited and waited, and his condition has become life-threatening," she said, calling on the Government to ensure Harvey and others like him get the treatment they require.

But as his parents looked on from the public gallery there were no firm promises, instead the Taoiseach turned on the opposition leader.

"The Deputy is asking me, as a politician, to give a commitment to a child to have an operation regardless of whether a clinician believes that operation to be the best care pathway or not. That is what the Deputy is asking me to do," Harris told the Dáil.

Unless over the summer the Deputy became a surgeon, she is asking me to recommend clinical care pathways for an extraordinarily sick child.

The four-month treatment commitment made by Harris many years ago now was not repeated, but the Taoiseach did mention a taskforce which has been established and the appointment of a new clinical lead.

"I want that child, Harvey, to get the best clinical care possible. I want Harvey to get all of the treatment possible. I want every child in Ireland — so does the Minister for Health — to get all of the care possible and I believe the best way to progress these matters is through clinical consultation."

It was a disappointing exchange for the boy's parents. All his mother, Gillian, could do was shake her head.