Simon Harris would be ‘good for the country’ as Fine Gael leader

Simon Harris would be “good for the country” if he wins the Fine Gael leadership contest and becomes Taoiseach, Cllr John Dolan has said.

The Athlone councillor said he was not officially backing a candidate until all names are in the hat, but admitted Harris “is the frontrunner” so far and that momentum is in his favour.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced yesterday he is stepping down as Taoiseach and as the leader of Fine Gael, which has triggered a party leadership race.

The new party leader will be sworn in as Taoiseach when the Dáil returns in two weeks’ time.

Cllr Dolan said the leadership change is important for the entire country.

“We need a good leader, not just for Fine Gael, but for the country as the new leader will become Taoiseach," he said.

“Simon Harris seems to be the frontrunner so far, and he would be a very good leader, I have no doubt about that.

“I will have to wait and see who goes forward but I would have no problem supporting Simon Harris when it comes to it.

“He has great experience in different departments and from any dealings I’ve had with him he’s always done a great job.”

Cllr Dolan said he was “shocked” to hear Leo Varadkar was resigning and paid tribute to the outgoing Taoiseach.

“Any of my dealings with Leo, going back a while, I have always found him to be very honest and very straight in his answers,” he said.

“Anything I asked him to do he either told me it could be done or it couldn’t be done.

“I voted for him for leader at the time he first came to power as I felt he was the right man, there was nothing against Coveney, I just felt he was right.”

Cllr Frank McDermott, the longest-serving councillor in Fine Gael, said he would “prefer to wait and see” who is in the race before he backs a candidate.

“But Simon Harris would be a very good choice,” he said.

“Helen McEntee is also there, Jennifer Carroll McNeill is in the running and Hildegarde Naughton, while she is not too long in Galway, is in the race as well.

“It will be interesting to see the candidates going forward, the challenge is great – but it’s exciting at the same time.”

Cllr McDermott was “very surprised” at yesterday's news and said it might have had something to do with the recent referendum failings by government.

“The referendum was not what he would have liked,” he said.

“But the people have spoken and they have answered the question crystal clear and that is the end of that for another 20 years.”

Cllr Tom Farrell said he would also not be backing a candidate but paid tribute to the Taoiseach.

“The man left on his own terms and, in fairness to him, you have to respect and what he has done,” he said.

“He has put a lot into the job over the last few years and has reached a decision that it’s time for change.

“I think his leadership was very good, he has changed Ireland and brought us into a new era – he put Ireland on the map.”