Simon Harris poised to become Ireland's next Prime Minister after other ministers drop out of the race

Simon Harris is tipped to become Ireland’s next Prime Minister after being announced as leader of the ruling Fine Gael coalition.

The further and higher education minister announced his candidacy on Thursday night after a flurry of support within the centre-right Fine Gael party and some senior colleagues saying they had no intention of replacing Leo Varadkar .

Mr Harris told RTE: “I want to join you and let you know tonight that I’m on board and I want to be the next leader of Fine Gael.

“I’m ready to step up and ready to serve.”

Harris added in a statement: “First of all, I would like to thank Leo Varadkar for his leadership of Fine Gael over the past seven years, and for his leadership of our country for many of those years.

“Leo has led our party and country through very challenging times, including Brexit, the Covid-19 pandemic and most recently the cost of living crisis.

Addressing the media at Government House in Dublin, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced that he will resign as Taoiseach and leader of his party Fine Gael. Image date: Wednesday, March 20, 2024. PA photo. See PA story Irish Varadkar. Photo credit should read: Nick Bradshaw/PA Wire — Simon Harris watched as Leo Varadkar announced his resignation as Prime Minister and as leader of his party (Photo: Nick Bradshaw/PA)

“I feel very privileged to have received the support of so many parliamentary party members, MPs and MPs across the country over the past 24 hours.

“I would like to thank them for their confidence in me and I confirm that I will seek to become the next leader of Fine Gael.

“If I get the chance, I’ll give it my all.”

Outgoing Fine Gael leader and Prime Minister Mr Varadkar surprised many in the political establishment when he announced his resignation on Wednesday.

The focus has since shifted to his potential successors.

With the exception of Harris, all other senior Fine Gael cabinet ministers have ruled themselves out of contention.

Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe, Justice Minister Helen McEntee, Social Security Minister Heather Humphreys and Enterprise Minister and Fine Gael deputy leader Simon Prime Minister Simon Coveney has said they will not seek leadership nominations.

Ms Humphrey and Ms McEntee are also among a number of Fine Gael members who have spoken out in support of Mr Harris.

Minister of State Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, who had been considered a possible outsider in any leadership race, also ruled herself out and announced her support for Mr Harris.

If appointed as Fine Gael leader, Harris is expected to be formally elected to the House of Representatives after the Easter recess in April.

At 37, he will become the country’s youngest prime minister.

Additional report by PA