Simon Harris tying Fine Gael's fortunes to the person at the top

Overseeing the finance portfolio after the departure of Paschal Donohoe is something of a swing for the fences for Tánaiste Simon Harris

Simon Harris was the junior finance minister in the 18 months previously and, as party leader, has overseen the last two budgets. File Picture : Leah Farrell/© RollingNews.ie

Within minutes of word leaking that Paschal Donohoe would step down from Government, speculation turned to who might replace him.

The makeup of the Coalition means that the new finance minister had to come from the Fine Gael side of the house and, when eyes were cast around, only one person was thought to have had the experience necessary: The party’s leader and Tánaiste, Simon Harris.