May 29, 2014
By Cianan Brennan
TD tipped for ministerial role following Euro battle
Speculation is mounting that Simon Harris will land a junior ministry role in the pending government reshuffle following his strong performance in the European Parliament elections.
Harris, current TD for the Wicklow – East Carlow constituency, came agonisingly close to sealing the final MEP seat in the Ireland South jurisdiction, but lost out on the twelfth and final count to party running mate Deirdre Clune.
Local party activists suggests that Harris, one of the Fine Gael’s youngest and brightest, will be handed one of the junior briefs in the aftermath of the local and European elections.
A reshuffle is imminent given the government’s chastening performance in the elections, with Labour in particular having its local representation decimated with the rise of Sinn Féin and Independent candidates.
A junior ministry role is generally seen as a stepping stone to the cabinet proper, and marks a politician out from the backbench TD ranks.
His margin of loss was less than 3,000 votes, with both Fine Gael candidates having moved clear of Fianna Fáil backmarker Kieran Hartley.
Harris, the youngest deputy in the current Dáil at just 27, was magnaminous in defeat, and congratulated both Clune and outgoing MEP Seán Kelly
“ I really enjoyed the campaign, I was humbled by the support I received and I look forward to returning to Dáil Eireann and giving voice to the many issues raised with me,” he said.
Clune could nevertheless sympathise with Harris.
“I’m disappointed for Simon. Obviously there can only be one winner but we’ve spoken and I’ve thanked him for putting in such a strong campaign because it definitely contributed to my election,” she said.
Despite Harris’ loss Fine Gael’s performance in Ireland South was satisfactory with two of the four seats available returned, while Fianna Fáil’s Brian Crowley and Sinn Féin’s Liadh ní Riada took the remaining two spots.
The last Wicklow TD to hold a cabinet post was Fianna Fail’s Dick Roche who was Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and then Minister of State for European Affairs until he lost his seat in 2011.
