Simon Harris says his journey to Taoiseach has been 'quite a rollercoaster'

Simon Harris has said becoming Taoiseach has been ‘quite a rollercoaster’ in his first broadcast interview since taking up the top role in government.

The dad-of-two was officially elected on Tuesday and thanked his wife Caoimhe for being his ‘rock’ in his speech in the Dáil Chamber.

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Asked about becoming Taoiseach, he said: ‘It’s been a little bit surreal. Look, it’s a great honour, it’s something that I find very humbling. And I’m conscious that I’m one of only 16 people in Ireland to have the honour to have been the Taoiseach of this great country and that means a lot to me, means a lot to my family.’

Simon Harris speaks after being confirmed as the new leader of Fine Gael in Athlone. Pic: PA Images

He said he first got involved in public life as a ‘moody, opinionated teenager’ campaigning for better school facilities for his brother with autism in Co. Wicklow.

Mr Harris added: ‘So to go from there to here, it’s been quite a rollercoaster. But, I intend to give it my all.’

Simon Harris with his brother Adam. Pic: Simon Harris / Instagram

The Taoiseach was speaking to Keith Finnegan on the latter’s final day of broadcasting on Galway Bay FM. Mr Harris said Cabinet reshuffles ‘are always quite challenging because you know everybody involved’.

He added: ‘It’s always a tense time wondering, “Will the phone ring and will I get a call from the Taoiseach and be asked to do a job?”

Simon Harris’ family in the Dáil Chamber, Leinster House. Pic: Maxwells

‘But at the end of the day, outside the bubble we live in, people want to just know are you going to get on with fixing the issues that they’re facing in their own lives.’

In his speech after being made Taoiseach, Simon thanked his own family and made a promise to his children that despite now being Taoiseach, being a dad to them would always be his ‘most important job’.

Simon Harris with his daughter, Saoirse. Pic: Maxwell Photography/ PA Wire

He said: ‘My biggest thank you goes to my wife Caoimhe, who is my rock and an incredible mother to our two beautiful children.

‘And lastly to my children Saoirse and Cillian, who mean the absolute world to me. I promise being your dad will remain my most important job.’

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