Harris brings 'new energy' to FG, says Burke

Simon Harris has brought a “new energy” to Fine Gael in the few weeks since he took over as party leader from Leo Varadkar, Minister Peter Burke says.

A large number of members from Westmeath made the journey to Galway at the weekend for Harris's first first ardfheis as leader, and Minister Burke says that his appointment has been a shot in the arm for the party.

“One of the things that struck me is that there is a lot of new energy in the party. It was great to see a lot of members who had stepped back in recent times come to the forefront again. There were also a lot of former candidates who attended the ardfheis. There is a definitely a lot more energy in the party than what there was.”

Minister Burke says that there was a “strong call” from members for the party and its new leader to get back to “bread and butter issues, like quality of life, how to improve communities, law and order, agriculture, helping small businesses and job creation”.

According to a report in the Irish Independent today, Monday, Minister Burke is “regarded as a dead cert for promotion to the cabinet” when Harris announces his new cabinet later tomorrow, Tuesday.

While says that he has done his best in the two departments he has served in as a junior minister, a cautious Deputy Burke says that “you never know in politics”.

“I have seen racing certainties come unstuck in the past. It's up to the new taoiseach to make those hard and difficult decisions. All we can do is hope for the best.”

One of the former Fine Gael representatives who attended the ardfheis was Kilbeggan native Kate O'Connell.

The former Dublin Bay South TD - who was elected to the Dail on her attempt in 2016 before losing her seat in 2020 – famously described Leo Varadkar's supporters as “choirboys” and reportedly had a difficult relationship with the former Fine Gael leader.

Speaking to reporters at the ardfheis, Ms O'Connell said that she was “surprised” and “shocked” when she heard Mr Varadkar was standing down as taoiseach and party leader.

She said that “for me personally I felt it was the end of a dark enough chapter in my life and the start of perhaps something new”.

Ms O'Connell also voiced her support for the new Fine Gael leader.

“I think he’s going to be a great leader...Ireland has gone through a difficult time and I think Simon Harris is the change Ireland needs.”