Burke backing Harris for FG leadership job

Speaking to Claire Byrne on RTÉ Radio 1 this morning Minister Peter Burke backed Simon Harris for the Fine Gael leadership.

He began his remarks by acknowledging “the great leadership that Leo Varadkar did give our country”

“At times when our country needed Leo most, he was at his very best, and I really think it’s very courageous for a leader to acknowledge when they are not able to give the job 100 per cent of their energy, of their intention, to make that courageous call to move on.

“I have to say yesterday was a very sad day for our country and a day on which we all were in a lot of shock, but obviously, the cycle moves on and I fully believe that Minister Simon Harris is, without doubt, the right person to lead our country into the future, and indeed our party, and I will be supporting him, should there be a contest in the coming weeks.”

Asked why not Pascal Donohue or Heather Humphries, Minister Burke said Minister Harris “is an exceptional communicator, he has a very agile mind, he’s a person who speaks without hesitation; I think we saw through the pandemic his leadership and his skill at penetrating right through to communities was evident, and indeed he got a prestigious award from Trinity College for the leadership he showed during that time, when people really needed him”.

Claire Byrne said to Minister Burke that he had been tipped as an outside chance for the FG leadership, but he dismissed that.

“While I am flattered to hear reports like that, I think we have to be realistic. I think someone to lead the party would need cabinet experience, I think that’s important, so at this particular point in my political career, it would absolutely not be the right move.

“I think Simon has the attributes that we need as a party to lead the country.”

Asked if he was positioning himself to get cabinet experience, Minister Burke said it isn’t about jobs, it’s about finding the best person to lead the country at a difficult time.