Taoiseach emphasises 'need for stability' in Mayo speech
Taoiseach Simon Harris has called on the electorate to consider the need for stability going forward when they cast their votes next Friday.
Speaking at Ireland West Airport Knock during a visit to the Mayo constituency, the Fine Gael leader said there were some involved in the election "who wish to dismiss 100 years of independent democracy in Ireland and to portray the votes cast in the last century as powerless acts by a nation without agency of their own."
An Taoiseach continued: "It is the actually the ultimate insult to the achievement of independence to construe every free and fair election since as a monopoly – and all for a simple narrative trick. One of the oldest tricks in the book.
"To try to persuade the electorate to identify oneself as change by casting one’s opponent as continuity.
"But of course little truth lies in tactical narrative spinning.
"Because for it to be true, you would have to believe that there has been no change in Ireland in the last 100 years.
"Does anyone believe that to be true?
"In fact, in just the last term of government, the incredible successive challenges of Brexit, Covid, the return of War to Europe and the period of sky-high inflation, have taken place in a period of extraordinary change.
"One of the most significant was the interventionist role the State undertook to ensure the economic survival of citizens and businesses, at the same time as survival itself was at stake for many of our people.
"As we looked after each other, the government looked after us too.
"And stepping in to bolster the finances of our households and businesses turned out to be an investment which yielded a quicker and more complete recovery than many could have imagined.
"This was a moment when the actions of government directly connected to my personal values.
"A caring State that honours a social contract with its people.
"This is the choice I want to offer people in this election.
"Because I believe in a Republic where if you work hard and play by the rules, the State will play its part too.
"I believe the hard-earned money you pay in taxes should be linked to the delivery of the services that you and your family need.
"I believe no matter who you are, where you come from or what your parents did before you, you should be able to reach your full potential.
"I believe that home ownership must be brought back into the reach of all who need it.
"I believe we must pass this earth onto the next generation having confronted the climate challenge, without pitting it against our incredible capacity for food production.
"But I also believe that a strong economy is fundamental to fulfilling these values, to honouring the social contract.
"I know we have got to do so much more to make it happen.
"I know we haven’t got everything right.
"I am restless to make improvements to services that are not where they need to be, especially for children with disabilities and special educational needs.
"We know we need to be ambitious and relentless on housing and that is what we commit to be.
"We need to help with childcare costs to enable families to make the choices they want to make, especially women.
"We know we need to give small businesses a break and keep our main streets alive.
"We need more gardaí and more law and order so those streets feel safe for our citizens.
"We need to both value migration and vindicate the rules and procedures around it so that the public can have faith we have a well-managed plan.
"These are all part of the manifesto we are putting before the people at this election. A manifesto to truly secure your future.
"We have a really good plan and we have the resources to deliver it.
"Because we’ve all looked into the whites of people’s eyes as we’ve been out on this campaign and we’ve seen pressure. We’ve seen stress.
"Worrying about the weekly shop.
"Hearing the cold snap is coming and fretting about putting the heating on.
"Working long days on your feet in the busy café and coming out with no margin at the end of the week.
"People need us to deliver a package that is the right balance of providing more permanent help in the here and now, investing longer term in services and infrastructure, and putting some money away to help secure the future.
"Fine Gael has that plan."
Mr. Harris said it is a very uncertain time in the world and we are not immune from potential threats.
"There is a war in Europe and a war in the Middle East.
"We need a stable government to lead the country over the next five years.
"A government that makes the necessary decisions to protect you, your family and your future.
"We need a government that can last a full term and make the decisions that are needed to secure your future."
PHOTO: Taoiseach Simon Harris speaking at Ireland West Airport Knock and being watched by candidates Mark Duffy, Alan Dillon, Keira Keogh and Martina Jennings.