TD profiles
Simon Harris

It has been a rapid rise to the top of politics for Ireland’s youngest ever Taoiseach – but then his political career began early.

The Greystones native organised his first public meeting when he was 16. A county councillor at 22, at TD at 24 and appointed minster for health at 29, he secured the top job of taoiseach at 37 last March.

Born in 1986, his father is a taxi driver and mother a special needs assistant. The eldest of three, his younger brother Adam’s diagnosis of autism prompted him to campaign for better services. This, in turn, sparked his entry into politics.

His communications skills gave him a high profile while his use of social media led to him being dubbed the “TikTok Taoiseach”.

As leader, his stance on Gaza and a generous budget saw his party ratings climb until mishaps during the election campaign took the spring out of the “Harris hop”.

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