Irish Examiner view:  Baptism of fire for Taoiseach's diplomatic skills

In choosing to pitch his tents early on foreign fields, Simon Harris has made a calculated political gamble which will be affected by any escalating war in the Middle East

Spain's Pedro Sánchez visits Simon Harris yesterday. Picture: Government Information Service

The term “baptism of fire” is rooted in the Gospels of the New Testament and the accounts of John the Baptist at work in Judea. And it provides, therefore, the perfect description of the first week of the new Taoiseach Simon Harris.

Internally there were the customarily difficult problems of managing ministerial reshuffles. Attempts to staunch the flow of departing Fine Gael TDs could not be counted a success and his retention of Helen McEntee in the justice portfolio received a lukewarm reception, unassuaged by protestations that he has shown loyalty to a beleaguered colleague.