Politics watch: Simon Harris urged to 'think more strategically'

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Published: Mon 21 Jul 2025, 9:23 PM

Last updated: Mon 21 Jul 2025, 9:52 PM

James Cox

Here, we have a look at the topics likely to dominate political discourse in the week to come.

Government performance 'quite low' says Ivan Yates

Former minister Ivan Yates has said the Coalition Government's performance so far is "quite low".

In an interview with em, Mr Yates said Taoiseach Micheál Martin "has become a bit of a photo opportunity junkie" and Tánaiste Simon Harris "needs to think more strategically".

"The report card for this government in the first six months is quite low, three out of 10. Good programme for government, good transactional arrangement in putting the government together, ensuring its longevity," said Mr Yates.

"I think the government parties, both Simon Harris and Micheál Martin, had a pretty good election and post-election.

"The speaking rights row was totally counterproductive for the Government. It was not a core issue. I think it was something that should have been anticipated, TDs simultaneously being in government and opposition was always going to be a touchstone for the Opposition.

"It allowed the Opposition to get up a head of steam and that allowed the unity of the Opposition to have a cohesion, and also made the Dáil chamber exceptionally attritional, which I think all contributed to a bad start for the Government.

"The delay in setting up committees as well, I think that has been the worst period. The complete lack of government cohesion, from the appointment of a housing tsar to 'we're going to dismantle rent pressure zones... no we're not, we're going to double down on that', there were a lot of mixed messages."

Mr Yates was a Fine Gael TD for Wexford during his political career and served as minister for agriculture from 1994 to 1997.

Mr Yates said Mr Harris is "trying to reinvent himself and to find his niche for Fine Gael in a situation where there is a medium term risk that Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil could cannabilise each other".

He added: "I think Micheál Martin has become a bit of a photo opportunity junkie, there is a lack of depth.

"For Simon Harris, with student fees and things like this, it seems the initial six months as leader and Taoiseach, he was so full of energy he was responding three times a day on every issue that moved, he is not that different nowadays and therefore is a bit distracted and trying to lead the news on different things. It makes him look less earnest and less heavyweight. I think he needs to think more strategically."

Triple lock

While the Dáil is in its summer recess, debate over the removal of the triple lock is going on behind the scenes.

Under the current system, Ireland cannot deploy any more than 12 Defence Forces peacekeepers overseas without a mission being approved by the UN Security Council or General Assembly, as well as approval by the Government and the Dáil.

Under draft legislation being advanced by the Government, it is proposed to remove the requirement of formal UN approval and replace it with a stipulation that the deployments are in accordance with the UN Charter.

The Government argues that this will prevent the five permanent members of the Security Council – Russia, China, the UK, the US and France – from exercising their veto against Irish peacekeeping missions.

The Irish Neutrality League and a number of opposition TDs have pledged a "robust challenge" to the changes.

Sinn Féin has opposed it, and the party has proposed 111 amendments to the Bill to remove the triple lock, according to The Irish Times.

The Oireachtas defence committe is to meet to discuss it this week.

Presidential race

Michael Healy-Rae has ruled himself out of the presidential race after speculation that he could make a bid for Áras an Uachtaráin.

Speaking on RTÉ’s Saturday with Colm Ó Mongáin, the Minister of State ruled himself out.

It came after a em with former minister Ivan Yates, who said Mr Healy-Rae could be a "dark horse" in the presidential race.

Mr Healy-Rae said he had a "very clear focus" on serving as a TD for Kerry.

When asked about rumours of a run from Michael Flatley, Mr Healy-Rae said he is an “excellent ambassador for our traditions of dance and music”.

He added: "“He’s a person that I know personally, and he’s a very, very nice gentleman. I wish him every good luck in every endeavour that he would ever had, but you can be sure of one thing, whatever name is going to be on that piece of paper, it’s not going to be me.”

Catherine Connolly and Mairead McGuinness are the declared candidates at this point.

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has been heavily linked with a bid for the presidency.

The Irish Daily Mail ran a poll today on how a race between Ms McGuinness and Ms McDonald would fare.

It found Ms McGuinness leads Ms McDonald 55 per cent -45 per cent overall.

McDonald leads among 18-34: 61 per cent to 39 per cent.

Ms McGuinness leads among 65+: 81 per cent to 19 per cent.