Simon Harris Secures Singular Majority: How Long Will His Rule Last?
Dublin: Simon Harris is poised to secure political and public backing following his anticipated election as Ireland’s Prime Minister on April 9th. However, concerns linger over the minority status of the current government. With 160 members in the Irish Parliament, excluding the speaker, the ruling party commands only 80 seats, leaving 79 in opposition. Simon Harris faces the challenge of rallying support, especially if the opposition unites.
The composition of the government stands as follows: Fianna Fáil (36 seats), Fine Gael (33 seats), and the Green Party (11 seats). The opposition comprises Sinn Féin (36 seats), the Labour Party (7 seats), the Social Democrats (6 seats), PBP-Solidarity (5 seats), Independent Ireland (3 seats), Antoo (1 seat), RTOC (1 seat), and Independents (20 seats), with 1 speaker.
For Simon Harris’s administration to proceed smoothly, garnering support from select independents within the opposition is crucial.
With his term extending until March 2025, Harris aims to address pressing issues such as law and order, housing, and immigration. This endeavor necessitates a partial reshuffle of the cabinet, with attention drawn to the controversial tenure of Justice Minister Helen McEntee, particularly concerning her handling of hate speech legislation in the aftermath of the Dublin riots.
Efforts to restore credibility in law enforcement may involve the introduction of legislation ensuring substantial penalties for serious crimes, potentially up to 20 years.
Harris’s transition to Prime Minister will create a vacancy in the higher education department, which he currently oversees. Junior ministers Neale Richmond, Peter Burke, and Jennifer Carroll MacNeill are being considered as replacements. Speculation also surrounds the potential demotion of Enterprise, Trade, and Employment Minister Simon Coveney, though retaining him may be a strategic move to avoid early controversy.
While acknowledging the complexity of resolving the housing crisis within a year, Harris pledges to increase housing supply. Additionally, he recognises the plight of small businesses amidst evolving circumstances and vows to support measures for SMEs.
Addressing migration, Harris advocates for a sustainable approach, with plans to transition away from reliance on private providers for accommodation. Ireland’s intention to join the EU Asylum and Migration Agreement signals continuity in immigration policy from the previous administration led by Leo Varadkar.
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