Simon Harris (born 17 October 1986) is an Irish politician who has served as the 16th Taoiseach since 2024. He has also been the Leader of Fine Gael since 2024. At age 37, he is the youngest person to become Taoiseach.[1]
Harris studied at St. David's Holy Faith Secondary School, in Greystones. He first became involved in local politics as a fifteen-year-old when he created the North Wicklow Triple A Alliance to help the families of children with autism spectrum disorders and attention deficit disorder.[8] Harris was a member of Fianna Fáil at first,[9] but later joined Fine Gael.[10]
Harris was elected to Dáil Éireann in 2011, taking the third seat in the Wicklow constituency.[11] As the youngest deputy in the 31st Dáil, he was selected by Fine Gael to nominate Enda Kenny for Taoiseach.[12]
More than half of the Fine Gael parliamentary party had announced their support for Harris to be the next leader and all other cabinet ministers had ruled themselves out of the contest. Harris confirmed his plan to run for Fine Gael leader on 21 March 2024.[15] Harris was the only candidate, and he was confirmed as leader at the party's meeting in Athlone the same day.[16][17]
Taoiseach
Harris became the 16th Taoiseach on 9 April 2024.[18] He received his appointment as Taoiseach by President Michael D. Higgins shortly afterwards as the youngest in the history of the state.[19]
One of his government's first decisions was the recognition of a Palestinian state on 28 May 2024.[20]
Personal life
In 2017, he married Caoimhe Wade, a nurse.[21] They have one daughter and one son.[22] Harris has Crohn's disease,[23] but has said it has little impact on his day-to-day life.[24]
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