Simon Harris confirms candidacy to become Fine Gael leader

Simon Harris has confirmed his candidacy to take over leadership of Fine Gael.

Speaking on RTE News, Harris said: "I'm in. I want to be the next leader of Fine Gael and I'm ready to serve."

After Leo Varadkar’s whirlwind resignation, Simon Harris is set to become the new leader of Fine Gael and Ireland’s next premier.

In a matter of hours, the Wicklow TD garnered a plethora of parliamentarians, MEPs and councillors to back him as the party’s next leader following Mr Varadkar’s shock decision.

The 37-year-old father of two has been described by his party colleagues as “energetic”, “a great communicator” and as having a “vision for Ireland that is about equality of opportunity”.

A media-savvy and personable politician who is well-versed on social media sites Instagram and TikTok, he has been at the helm of three departments over an eight-year period.

His visibility during his tenure as justice minister – covering for minister Helen McEntee while she was on maternity leave – fuelled speculation on his interest in a leadership bid for the so-called “law and order” party.

A student of journalism at DIT at one point, he has quickly gone from writing about headlines to making them.