Peaceful cross-border co-operation 'precious' - Harris

Mr Harris addressed Fine Gael members at the party's Ard Fheis in Galway

Peaceful co-operation on the island of Ireland is "precious", the taoiseach (Irish prime minister) in waiting has said.

Simon Harris was addressing his party's conference for the first time as Fine Gael leader on Saturday.

In his speech, he hailed the Northern Ireland peace process and said it should be protected.

"I am determined to work together on a North South, East West basis to improve the lives of everyone across these islands," he added.

Mr Harris will attend the North/South Ministerial Council with the Northern Ireland Executive in Armagh on Monday, just one day before he becomes taoiseach.

In the speech given in Galway, Mr Harris said Ireland was "repulsed" by Israel's action in Gaza.

Much of the Gaza Strip has been devastated during Israeli military operations which began after Hamas gunmen attacked southern Israel on 7 October, killing about 1,200 people.

More than 33,137 people have been killed in Gaza since then, the Hamas-run health ministry has said.

Ceasefire now - Harris

Mr Harris described the situation in Gaza as a "humanitarian catastrophe".

“Reason has been replaced by revenge and by the bombing, maiming and death of children,” he said.

“Famine. A spectre no Irish person can bear.

“Anyone who can countenance deliberate starvation has lost their humanity.

“Prime Minister Netanyahu, the Irish people could not be clearer. We are repulsed by your actions.

Ceasefire now and let the aid flow safely.”

Mr Harris posed for photographss with outgoing Enterprise Minister Simon Coveney (left)

Mr Harris is set to be the youngest ever taoiseach at 37, on Tuesday.

Leo Varadkar will travel to Áras an Uachtaráin on Monday evening where he will officially resign.

His replacement will be voted in by TDs in Dáil Éireann on Tuesday morning, after which he will reshuffle the Fine Gael section of the cabinet.

During the speech, Mr Harris also thanked his predecessor, who resigned in March unexpectedly, for his service during Brexit and the Covid pandemic.

Under his new vision for a “fresh” Fine Gael, Mr Harris said young people should know their place is in Ireland.

He said he would hit the ground running and wanted “a tolerant, inclusive, and outward-looking society, which is fair, caring and secure.

"I am going to match that vision with action.”

Mr Harris promised action for Ireland's young people in his party conference speech

Mr Harris said during his tenure, set to be less than a year before the next general election, he would extend Help to Buy for a further five years.

The renters tax credit should be increased to over €1,000 (£858), he added.

On finance, he said: “I am restating my ambition that nobody earning below €50,000 should pay the higher rate of income tax.

"Under my leadership we will reduce the burden of the Universal Social Charge (USC) on low and middle-income earners… hot school meals will be extended to 150,000 more children and 900 more primary schools.”

He also promised an increase in the carer's allowance.