Simon Harris: Calls for Respect and a €250m Aid Package
Simon Harris addressed recent protests and the government's response, stressing respect for the law and the wellbeing of others. He outlined a €250 million package of measures and warned that global decisions are having real impacts on people in Ireland.
Main points
Simon Harris said protests must not come at the expense of someone else's wellbeing and reiterated his commitment to the laws of the land. He set out that the government has brought forward a €250 million package and continues to engage with farming and horticultural groups.
Government response and comparison
Harris emphasised that the government's package is larger than that proposed by the main opposition party and said the administration is listening and working through concerns. He insisted humility and listening are essential while decisions are made and implemented.
Context and consequences
Harris warned that the disruption - including blockades of oil refineries - risks harming people and livelihoods. He framed the problem within a wider context, calling it a global conflict with choices made thousands of kilometres away affecting everyday life in Ireland.
Moving forward
He urged respectful engagement through existing structures, recalling how the country has pulled together in past crises like COVID, Ukraine and inflationary pressures. Harris concluded by calling for progress and collaboration as the government works through the next steps.
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But people are really, really under pressure, and we were working our way through that. We had brought forward a €250 million package of measures. We were actively engaging further with farming organisations, horticultural groups had been in some of those meetings. But I think the speed at which people required further action was real. And I think it's important to be humble and always be listening. But I have significant concerns around the blocking of oil refineries. I always stand by the laws of the land. You can never, in my view, make your point to the detriment of someone else's wellbeing. I think that's not good. I think that's not who we are. I think we have to be better than that. But I do also think it's about moving forward. And look, opposition will do what they do. They have an important job in a democracy. But I would just point out that we have brought forward now a package of measures that's larger than the package of measures that was proposed by the main opposition party. So we are listening. We are working our way through this. But the other truth is this. This is a global conflict. This is a global conflict. Decisions that have been made many, many thousands of kilometres from here are having a real impact on the people of Ireland. And we'll work through this. And we are at our best. We have always been at our best, whether it was COVID, Ukraine, the inflationary crisis. When we pull together, when we listen to each other, when we engage respectfully and through structures at work. And today is about moving forward on that.
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