Simon Harris facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Simon Harris
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Harris in 2024
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| Tánaiste | |
| Assumed office 23 January 2025 |
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| Taoiseach | Micheál Martin |
| Preceded by | Micheál Martin |
| Minister for Foreign Affairs | |
| Assumed office 23 January 2025 |
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| Taoiseach | Micheál Martin |
| Preceded by | Micheál Martin |
| Minister for Defence | |
| Assumed office 23 January 2025 |
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| Taoiseach | Micheál Martin |
| Preceded by | Micheál Martin |
| 16th Taoiseach | |
| In office 9 April 2024 – 23 January 2025 |
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| President | Michael D. Higgins |
| Tánaiste | Micheál Martin |
| Preceded by | Leo Varadkar |
| Succeeded by | Micheál Martin |
| Leader of Fine Gael | |
| Assumed office 24 March 2024 |
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| Deputy |
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| Preceded by | Leo Varadkar |
| Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science | |
| In office 27 June 2020 – 9 April 2024 |
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| Taoiseach |
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| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Patrick O'Donovan |
| Minister for Justice | |
| In office 17 December 2022 – 1 June 2023 |
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| Taoiseach | Leo Varadkar |
| Preceded by | Heather Humphreys |
| Succeeded by | Helen McEntee |
| Minister for Health | |
| In office 6 May 2016 – 27 June 2020 |
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| Taoiseach |
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| Preceded by | Leo Varadkar |
| Succeeded by | Stephen Donnelly |
| Minister of State | |
| 2014–2016 | Finance |
| Teachta Dála | |
| Assumed office February 2011 |
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| Constituency | Wicklow |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 17 October 1986 Greystones, County Wicklow, Ireland |
| Political party | Fine Gael |
| Other political affiliations |
Fianna Fáil (before 2003) |
| Spouse |
Caoimhe Wade
(m. 2017) |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | St David's Holy Faith |
| Alma mater | Dublin Institute of Technology (attended) |
Simon Harris (born 17 October 1986) is an Irish politician. He is a member of the Fine Gael political party. From April 2024 to January 2025, he served as the Taoiseach, which is the head of government in Ireland. He was the youngest person ever to hold this important job.
Since January 2025, he has been the Tánaiste, a role similar to a deputy prime minister. He also serves as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence. Simon Harris has been a TD (a member of the Irish Parliament) for the Wicklow area since 2011. He became a government minister in 2016.
He was born in Greystones and first became a local councillor in 2009. In 2011, he was elected to the national parliament, becoming the youngest TD at 24. Before becoming Taoiseach, he held several other important government roles, including Minister for Health and Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. He is known for using social media, especially TikTok, which earned him the nickname "TikTok Taoiseach".
Contents
Early Life and Education
Simon Harris was born in Greystones, County Wicklow, in 1986. He is the oldest of three children. His father was a taxi driver, and his mother was a special needs assistant.
He went to St David's Holy Faith Secondary School in Greystones. While there, he was very active in drama and was even the head boy. When he was 13, he wrote a play. At 15, he started getting involved in local politics. He created a group to help families of children with autistic and attention deficit disorder. He spoke to politicians to get better support for these children in schools.
Simon Harris first studied Valuation Surveying at Dublin Institute of Technology. He later switched to Journalism and French but left college to focus on his political career.
Starting in Politics
Simon Harris began working for a politician named Frances Fitzgerald in 2008. In 2009, he was elected to the Wicklow County Council. He received the most votes of any county councillor in Ireland that year. He also served on the Greystones Town Council.
In 2011, he was elected to Dáil Éireann, the Irish Parliament. He was the youngest member of parliament at the time, at 24 years old. He gave his first speech in the Dáil when he nominated Enda Kenny to be Taoiseach. He worked on important committees, including the Public Accounts Committee. He also worked on a group focused on mental health.
Becoming a Government Minister
Minister of State Role
In July 2014, Simon Harris became a Minister of State in the Department of Finance. His responsibilities included public works and international banking.
Leading the Health Department
On 6 May 2016, Simon Harris was appointed Minister for Health. This was a very big job. In his first year, he faced possible strikes by health workers and nurses, but these were later called off. He also worked on a plan to help people in Ireland achieve a healthier weight.
During his time as Health Minister, there was a major issue called the CervicalCheck cancer scandal. This involved problems with cervical cancer screening tests. Simon Harris was criticised for how he handled this difficult situation.
In 2020, he introduced new emergency laws to help Ireland deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Minister for Higher Education
In June 2020, Simon Harris was appointed Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. This was a brand new government department. He worked on policies to fund higher education and make college more affordable for students and families.
He also briefly served as Minister for Justice from December 2022 to June 2023.
Becoming Taoiseach (2024–2025)
Leading Fine Gael
In March 2024, the previous Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, resigned as leader of the Fine Gael party. This meant a new leader was needed. Simon Harris was the only candidate to put his name forward. On 24 March 2024, he was confirmed as the new leader of Fine Gael.
Taking Office as Taoiseach
On 9 April 2024, Simon Harris was officially chosen by the Dáil (Irish Parliament) to be the new Taoiseach. He was then appointed by President Michael D. Higgins. At 37 years old, he became the youngest Taoiseach in Ireland's history. He promised to be a leader for everyone in Ireland.
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Key Policies and Decisions
As Taoiseach, Simon Harris spoke about important global issues. He condemned the 2023 attack on Israel by Hamas. He also strongly criticised Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip, saying that what was happening there was "unconscionable." He called for a ceasefire in the conflict. In May 2024, Ireland officially recognised a Palestinian state, a move he called "important and historic."
He also addressed immigration issues. He stated that Ireland would have its own immigration rules and would not be a "loophole" for other countries' problems.
General Election and Resignation
On 8 November 2024, Simon Harris called for a general election, which took place on 29 November. He said it was time for the Irish people to choose a new government. During the election campaign, he had a public exchange with a carer about disability services, which drew attention.
Simon Harris was re-elected as a TD in the election. He resigned as Taoiseach on 18 December 2024, after the election results, and will continue his duties until a new government is formed.
Personal Life
In 2017, Simon Harris married Caoimhe Wade, who is a cardiac nurse. They have a daughter and a son. Simon Harris lives with Crohn's disease, but he has said it does not affect his daily life much.
He is the oldest of three siblings. His younger brother has autism and runs a charity called AsIAm, which Simon Harris helped to start.
Simon Harris is well-known for his active presence on social media, especially TikTok. This is why he is sometimes called the "TikTok Taoiseach." He also used Instagram to answer questions from the public when he was Minister of Health during the COVID-19 pandemic.
See also
