Southside TDs benefit from mini-reshuffle

Simon Harris’ mini-reshuffle has resulted in more Southsiders being present within the halls of power.

Southside Fine Gael TDs Emer Higgins and Neale Richmond have become junior ministers as a result of the reshuffle, with Jennifer Caroll MacNeill appointed as Minister of State for European Affairs. 

Higgins has taken up the brief of Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, while Richmond will replace Caroll MacNeill in her previous role as Minister of State at the Department of Finance.

Harris said that Caroll MacNeill was an important appointment as “Ireland’s relationship with the European Union and our role within the EU is more important than ever at this time of geopolitical uncertainty.”

“I look forward to working with Deputy Carroll MacNeill on these issues,” he said.

Caroll MacNeill becomes the 3rd Southside TD to become the junior minister with responsibility for European affairs.

Gay Mitchell served in the role between 1994 and 1997, while Lucinda Creighton served in the role between 2011 and 2013.

Discussing his new appointments, Harris said “I believe we have a team with the right mix of experience and new talent to build the new social contract.”

The new Taoiseach said his mini-reshuffle is one “which renews our promise as a republic to create equality of opportunity, to support those who need the State the most, to protect our hard-earned economic success and to use its benefits to deliver tangible outcomes to society.”

Both Higgins and Richmond were first elected as TDs in the 2020 general election, with Higgins elected to serve the people of Dublin Mid-West while Richmond was elected by the constituents of Dublin-Rathdown.

Richmond posted a photo of him and Harris shaking hands on Twitter and stated “I am looking forward to the challenge.”

Outgoing MEP Frances Fitzgerald praised the appointment of Higgins, saying it was “great to see my successor in Dublin Mid-West appointed as Minister of State in the Department of Enterprise.”

South Dublin will still be well-represented at a Cabinet level with Green Party Ministers Eamon Ryan and Catherine Martin remaining in their briefs of Transport and Media respectively.

Ryan said that despite the fact an election must take place within the next year, “we still have work to do, each party.”

“Show me a party which is prepared for an election, which has a manifesto already written, which has the answer to the key questions of our time.”

Ryan said “is the Cabinet, and not just the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste, that makes the decisions. “

He stated that working in Cabinet is a “collective responsibility.”

“I am confident we can retain what the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste have said about collective Cabinet responsibility and partnership continuing to deliver for the people for the remaining ten months of this Government.”

“I believe the strength that Simon Harris, like the Taoiseach, showed during the Covid period will stand to him in the hard decisions that have to be made in government,” he said.

In his first speech as Taoiseach, Harris said “no matter your political persuasion, I will work with and for you and for the country we all love.”

“My message is simple: I want to work every day to improve the lives of all in this country. Fuelled by hope and driven by a vision of a better Ireland, I will provide a new leadership and energy. I intend to act decisively in the best interests of our people.”

Members of the opposition from the Southside voted against Harris’ nomination as Taoiseach. 

Labour leader Ivana Bacik said, “the appointment of another temporary Taoiseach by this coalition is just more superficial or cosmetic change, not the radical change that people so badly need.”

“Our communities are held back by Government parties which do not believe in harnessing the power of the State. That is most true of the Fine Gael party. A new nameplate on the door of the Taoiseach’s office will not change that.”

Dún Laoghaire TD Richard Boyd Barrett said, “Fine Gael is putting a brave face on it, but the real background to the ascension to the office of Simon Harris is an outgoing Taoiseach and one-third of sitting Fine Gael TDs abandoning the Fine Gael ship and being afraid to face the electorate at the next general election.”

The People Before Profit TD stated, “young people coming out of the universities and colleges Simon Harris has been charge of are leaving because they do not believe – they have no confidence – that this Government is capable of giving them a secure and affordable roof over their heads.”