Simon Harris: ‘Mary Lou McDonald is a passionate believer in her own policies and I respect that’

Taoiseach answers listener questions and says no to more than three parties in a future coalition

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Fine Gael leader and Taoiseach Simon Harris arrives at The Irish Times to do the ‎Inside Politics podcast. Photograph: Chris Maddaloni/The Irish Times
Fine Gael leader and Taoiseach Simon Harris arrives at The Irish Times to do the ‎Inside Politics podcast. Photograph: Chris Maddaloni/The Irish Times

In the first of a series with the leaders of the three largest political parties, Taoiseach Simon Harris sat down with Hugh Linehan to answer questions submitted by Inside Politics podcast listeners on issues including taxation, housing, threats to Ireland’s economy, why Ireland does not facilitate overseas voting, and more.

He revealed that he is not in favour of forming a coalition with a left-wing alliance of more than one party, a concept proposed by Labour leader Ivana Bacik, and would prefer to enter a future coalition of not more than three parties.

He also shared the qualities he admires in political opponents Mary Lou McDonald, Micheál Martin, Holly Cairns and Ivana Bacik.