Taoiseach committed to full term in Government he tells FG think-in gathering in Offaly

Taoiseach Simon Harris says he is committed to the Government remaining in office until its full term has expired.

Speaking to the media before the party's think-in gathering in Tullamore this afternoon, Mr Harris said his position remains the same as when he assumed the role of Taoiseach.

He stressed when he became FG leader be committed to the Government running the full term but speculated the views of other Government party leaders may have changed in the interim.

The Taoiseach said the timing of the next general election was an obsession for political correspondents but was "one question I never get asked by the general public."

Mr Harris said Fine Gael was in good health around the country and had a mix of experienced candidates and new people hungry to represent their communities selected for the election.

"We outperformed expectations in the local and European elections and our party is showing a sense of renewal," he stressed.

Mr Harris added: "It's not that long ago since Mary Lou McDonald was measuring the drapes for the Taoiseach's office."

He said he believed the centre will hold in the next election.

Speaking following being formally welcomed to Offaly by the Fine Gael candidate in the constituency, Cllr John Clendennen, Mr Harris said to him "we're fully behind you in making sure we win a seat in the new three-seater."

He said the think-in would give the party an opportunity to discuss a range of important issues including the forthcoming Budget.

"We want to address the cost of living crisis. Inflation may have eased but for people sitting at the kitchen table or in the farmyard the cost of living is still very important."

Mr Harris said cost of living measures would be targeted at those who are most at risk including older people, carers and those with a disability.

The Taoiseach stressed that housing remained the biggest issue facing the country but pointed to the 40,000 hew homes being completed each year – compared to just 7,000 when Fine Gael came to power in 2011.

"We will set new targets for housing and want to make sure we can develop 50,000 new homes each year."

Addressing the issue of childcare he said he was committed to bringing the stakeholders together to have a national conversation on the issue.

He said the three Government party leaders needed to have a discussion on the €14 billion Apple tax windfall. "It would be irresponsible to say today what we are going to do with it," he stressed.

On the recent Scoping Inquiry report into sexual abuse in church run schools, Mr Harris said it shone a light on terrible times in our past.

He urged those organisations in the country embracing Christianity to take a genuine Christian approach to victims.