Taoiseach doesn’t ‘buy into’ suggestions that outgoing TDs have better chance of being elected
Speaking at an EU leaders summit in Hungary, Mr Harris dismissed as “political and media bubble fuelled” claims that “incumbency is the be all and end all” when it comes to election campaigns.
“When I travel around to the country, people are looking for new blood, new energy, new ideas to serve in Dáil Éireann,” he said.
“I will, of course, be making the case to the Irish people in the days and weeks ahead, that Fine Gael offers that mix of experience and energy, and yes, political experience,” he added.
In the months leading up to the election was called, 17 Fine Gael TDs announced they would not be contesting the election.
Mr Harris said all sitting TDs “go back to zero” once he asks President Michael D Higgins to dissolve the Dáil this afternoon.
“I intend to approach this campaign with determination, with humility, with a real hope that it doesn’t descend into this tit for tat,” he added.
Mr Harris said the length of time you serve in the Dáil is a “form of experience” but he said his candidates also have the “lived experience” of running businesses, farms or working as nurses or special needs assistants or members of An Garda Síochána.
“My party has people with all of those backgrounds putting themselves on a ballot. So while some of the names might be new to you and to those of us who operate maybe in the Leinster House and political bubble, they’re not new in their communities, and what I see from them is a huge level of energy and enthusiasm similar to what I remember my own first campaign to run for the Dáil 2011,” he said.
He said he wanted to see parties put forward their policies credibly whether it be on housing or immigration.
He said his party used to “ridiculed” for setting aside money in rainy day funds but said the potential for a “transatlantic trade shock” following the election of Donald Trump as US president showed they were right to put in place a “buffer” for such an outcome.
Philip Ryan
