Simon Harris
16th Taoiseach since 2024 / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Simon Harris (born 17 October 1986) is an Irish Fine Gael politician who has served as Taoiseach and leader of Fine Gael since 2024. A TD for the Wicklow constituency since 2011, he has served as a minister in the government of Ireland since 2016 and formerly served as a minister of state from 2014 to 2016.[1][2][3]
Simon Harris | |
---|---|
16th Taoiseach | |
Assumed office 9 April 2024 | |
President | Michael D. Higgins |
Tánaiste | Micheál Martin |
Preceded by | Leo Varadkar |
Leader of Fine Gael | |
Assumed office 24 March 2024 | |
Deputy | |
Preceded by | Leo Varadkar |
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science | |
In office 27 June 2020 – 9 April 2024 | |
Taoiseach | |
Preceded by | Office established |
Succeeded by | Patrick O'Donovan |
Minister for Justice | |
In office 17 December 2022 – 1 June 2023 | |
Taoiseach | Leo Varadkar |
Preceded by | Heather Humphreys |
Succeeded by | Helen McEntee |
Minister for Health | |
In office 6 May 2016 – 27 June 2020 | |
Taoiseach |
|
Preceded by | Leo Varadkar |
Succeeded by | Stephen Donnelly |
Minister of State | |
2014–2016 | Finance |
Teachta Dála | |
Assumed office February 2011 | |
Constituency | Wicklow |
Personal details | |
Born | (1986-10-17) 17 October 1986 (age 37) Greystones, County Wicklow, Ireland |
Political party | Fine Gael |
Spouse |
Caoimhe Wade (m. 2017) |
Children | 2 |
Education | St David's Holy Faith |
Alma mater | Dublin Institute of Technology (attended) |
Born in Greystones, County Wicklow, Harris first became involved in politics during his teenage years. Elected to Wicklow County Council in the 2009 local elections, he was first elected to Dáil Éireann at the 2011 general election, becoming the "baby of the Dáil" at age 24. He was appointed Minister of State at the Department of Finance in 2014. Following the formation of a Fine Gael minority government in 2016, he was appointed Minister for Health.[4] On the formation of the coalition government in 2020, he was appointed Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.[5] From December 2022 to June 2023, he also served as Minister for Justice while Cabinet colleague Helen McEntee took maternity leave.
Following the resignation of Leo Varadkar in March 2024, Harris was the only candidate in the 2024 Fine Gael leadership election. After being elected party leader, he was appointed Taoiseach on 9 April 2024. Aged 37, he became the youngest Taoiseach in the history of the state.[6]