Summary of the day
The Dáil has confirmed Simon Harris’ nomination as Ireland’s new taoiseach, by a vote of 88 in favour and 69 opposed.
Ireland’s president, Michael D Higgins, then presented Harris with his seal of office.
At 37, Harris is Ireland’s youngest prime minister. His social media skills have prompted a nickname, the “TikTok taoiseach”.
In today’s vote, Harris received support from Fine Gael’s coalition partners.
Opposition parties, however, argued he is a product of a centre-right coalition government that has presided over a housing crisis and fraying public services and is scared of the electorate.
Speaking after the vote, Harris said he intends to lead the government in a spirit of unity. “I commit to doing everything that I can to honour the trust that you have placed in me today,” he said.
Harris also said “now is an opportune moment to build a new social contract” and underscored his commitment to work on housing challenges.
European leaders congratulated Harris. He is expected to travel to Brussels later this week.
Simon Harris has pledged to invigorate Ireland’s ruling coalition after being elected the country’s youngest taoiseach.
The Dáil voted 88 to 69 on Tuesday to anoint Harris, 37, as successor to Leo Varadkar, who unexpectedly announced his resignation last month.
“I commit to doing everything that I can to honour the trust that you have placed in me today,” Harris told the chamber. “I accept this new role in a spirit of humility, ready for the challenge, and full of energy and determination about what can be achieved. As taoiseach I want to bring new ideas, a new energy, and a new empathy to public life.”
Harris went to the official residence of President Michael D Higgins to receive the seal of office before returning to Leinster House to appoint ministers is a minor cabinet reshuffle.
It marked a low-key end of the Varadkar era and the start of an unofficial countdown to a general election that must be held by March 2025 - a tight timetable for Harris to deliver on big promises such as fixing a housing crisis.
“Now is an opportune time to build a new social contract - one which renews our promise as a republic,” he told the Dail. “To create equality of opportunity. To support those who need the state the most. To protect our hard-earned economic success. To use its benefits to deliver tangible outcomes to society.”
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