Party left reeling after Humphreys confirms exit planPaschal Donohoe to become party’s chief spokesperson on housingJennifer Carroll MacNeill will be put in charge of Fine Gael’s health policyNovember 29 increasingly likely to be the election date
Party chiefs have spent the last six weeks trying to convince Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys not to retire – but with the election now set for this year, they have accepted her decision.
The Irish Independent understands Mr Harris is now set to make ministers Paschal Donohoe and Jennifer Carroll MacNeill responsible for the two areas where Fine Gael will struggle most to defend its record: housing and health.
Mr Donohoe will be put forward for head-to-head debates with Sinn Féin’s Eoin Ó Broin on housing, while Ms Carroll MacNeill is set to front the party’s new health policies.
The popularity of the party leader probably hasn’t been as high since the days of Garret FitzGerald
The exit by Ms Humphreys (64) emerged at the weekend. It is a major blow and means 18 of the 35 Fine Gael TDs elected in 2020 will not be running for the Dáil.
Despite the party’s strong poll ratings, many of their candidates will have limited name recognition and little media experience.
Heather Humphreys is to retire
“For this time, they have to rely on ‘Brand Harris’,” said one party strategist. “The popularity of the party leader probably hasn’t been as high since the days of Garret FitzGerald.”
Mr Harris is expected to confirm a general election, with November 29 now the most likely polling day. He will meet with Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin and Green Party leader Roderic O’Gorman today to discuss the timeline.
The three coalition leaders still want to pass the Finance Bill which will put many of the measures announced in Budget 2025 into effect.
They also plan to agree new housing targets.
The Irish Independent understands the Taoiseach is planning a “short, sharp election campaign”.
November 29 or November 22 are now the most likely dates, with December 6 less likely, but still on the list of possibilities.
One source noted it would be less than ideal to have election day coincide with the Late Late Toy Show, which is on the first Friday in December.
Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe. Photo: PA
November 15 is no longer in play. “That ship has sailed,” a coalition source said.
Fine Gael figures were fuming with Mr O’Gorman last week when he publicly called for a November 29 polling day, but that remains the most likely option.
The election is on, but you’re not going to have a situation where there’s a campaign going on for five weeks
The Dáil sits this week, then takes a mid-term break for Halloween and returns in the first week of November.
That is now expected to be the week when the general election is called.
It is anticipated that Mr Harris will then opt for a short campaign window of three weeks.
“The election is on, but you’re not going to have a situation where there’s a campaign going on for five weeks,” a party strategist said.
The Government has to work out how to rush through the Finance Bill to implement the measures in the Budget.
“He’s not going to be announcing the election by committee,” a source confirmed. “It’s important that the Taoiseach of the day, in line with his constitutional remit, goes to the Áras and formally dissolves the Dáil.
“It’s one of the tasks left to the Taoiseach alone and that isn’t going to change.”
Taoiseach Simon Harris and Minister of State for European Affairs Jennifer Carroll MacNeill at the European Council Summit. Photo: Getty
Fine Gael members were left in a state of shock on Saturday night when news emerged that Ms Humphreys would not be running.
After a decade in cabinet, she was seen as one of the party’s most effective and likeable ministers. The Cavan-Monaghan TD cited her health and energy levels as the reason for stepping back, saying: “Politicians are human too; we give all we can for as long as we can but time catches up on us all.”
Mr Harris described her as a “trailblazer in Irish politics” before quickly moving to appoint Justice Minister Helen McEntee as his new deputy.
It is a striking turnaround for Ms McEntee, who was the subject of a no confidence motion from Sinn Féin after the Dublin riots a year ago. There had also been speculation that Mr Harris might drop her from the Cabinet after taking over as leader.
Justice MInister Helen McEntee
She thanked the Taoiseach, saying he “is working with extraordinary energy, with integrity and with competence as Ireland’s new Taoiseach and as the new leader of Fine Gael”.
The Justice Minister will now be tasked with reviving the idea that Fine Gael is the “law and order” party during the campaign.
Other candidates who will be central to the campaign will be Enterprise Minister Peter Burke and Chief Whip Hildegarde Naughton. The latter will be the party’s spokesperson on climate, special education and transport.
Junior minister Neale Richmond is to front the party’s childcare policy.
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin
Speaking in Dublin yesterday, Mr Harris confirmed: “I expect the election to be in 2024.”
Last week, Fianna Fáil leader, Mr Martin signalled a willingness to back an election before the end of the year, as long as priority legislation was passed before the Dáil was dissolved.
wants a November reign