Simon Harris, TD

Simon Harris TD is the Taoiseach and Leader of Fine Gael. He was elected by Dáil Éireann to the role on 9th April 2024, having previously served as Minister for Further & Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science from 2020 until April 2024, Minister for Health from May 2016 to June 2020, and as Minister of State at the Departments of Finance PER and Taoiseach with Special Responsibility for the OPW, Public Procurement, and International Banking (incl IFSC) from 2014 to 2016.

Simon’s involvement in politics began after he established an Autism support and lobby group in County Wicklow to seek to give a voice to people living with Autism and their families and to articulate their concerns and needs. He works tirelessly as a disability advocate and through his work in the disability area he has first-hand meaningful understanding of issues affecting people with disabilities.

In the Dáil, Simon has served in the following roles:

• Public Accounts Committee Member

• Member of the Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform

• Convenor of the Cross-Party Group on Mental Health

• Co-Chair of the Fine Gael Working Group on Autism

• Secretary of the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party

He has previously served the community as:

• Member of Wicklow County Council

• Member of Greystones Town Council

• Chairperson of the County Wicklow Policing Committee

• Chairperson of the Dublin-Mid Leinster Regional Health Forum

• Board Member of Wicklow Tourism

• Member of Wicklow Vocational Educational Committee

The Sunday Business Post has described Simon as “epitomising the fresh flush of youth that has been infused into the Irish political system” and Irish Tatler Magazine named him as one of Ireland’s “12 up and coming power players” and as a part of “ a generation of politicians that has the potential to change the future of Ireland.”

Passionate about Wicklow and Ireland, Simon brings to the Dáil and to his constituents; energy, youth, new ideas and a voice in Government for County Wicklow.

Simon’s work as a disability advocate extended to him being appointed to a Committee of the National Disability Authority to assist with the organising of the European Year for People with Disabilities.

News & Statements

An Taoiseach Simon Harris pays tribute to Gemma Hussey

It is with profound sadness that we in Fine Gael mark the death of our friend and colleague, Gemma Hussey.

26th November 2024

Speech by Taoiseach and Fine Gael Leader, Simon Harris Knock Airport 24.11.24

24th November 2024

Fine Gael guarantees older people a more secure future

Taoiseach and Fine Gael Leader Simon Harris has announced the party’s Older Person’s Guarantee which is a pledge to create a more secure future for older people.

20th November 2024

Statement from Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris

Today, the Fine Gael family is in mourning. We are utterly bereft at the death of our friend and colleague, John Naughten.

5th October 2024

Speech by An Taoiseach Simon Harris T.D., Fine Gael Think-in 2024

Speech by An Taoiseach Simon Harris T.D., at the Fine Gael Think-in 2024, at the Tullamore Court Hotel.

11th September 2024

Speech by An Taoiseach, Simon Harris T.D. IBEC Presidential Dinner RDS, Thursday 5th September 2024

Check against delivery

5th September 2024

Speech of An Taoiseach, Simon Harris T.D., MacGill Summer School, Glenties, Friday 19 July 2024

I want to begin by paying tribute to Dr. Joe Mulholland for his extraordinary achievement in making this summer school the pre-eminent public forum to discuss crucial national and international issues over the past four decades.

31st July 2024

Statement from Fine Gael leader and Taoiseach Simon Harris on the Death of Mary Banotti

It is with great sadness that I learned of the passing of Mary Banotti. Mary was a talented politician, a trailblazer and a joy to be around. She was smart, wise and funny. Mary Banotti served as an MEP for Dublin from 1984 to 2004 and was Fine Gael’s presidential candidate in the 1997 presidential election.

11th May 2024