Simon Harris

Simon Harris - The Youngest Minister in Irish History

Simon Harris is a well-known Irish politician, who has been serving as a Teachta Dála (TD) for Wicklow since 2011. He was only 24 years old when he was first elected, making him the youngest TD in the country at the time. Harris quickly rose through the ranks of Fine Gael and was appointed Minister of State at the Departments of Finance, Public Expenditure, and Reform.

Harris went on to become the Minister for Health in May 2016 at the age of 29, making him the youngest minister in Irish history. During his time as Health Minister, he oversaw the implementation of several key initiatives, including the introduction of free GP care for children under 6 and the repeal of the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution.

The COVID-19 Pandemic and Simon Harris' Role

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit Ireland, Simon Harris was at the forefront of the government's response. Harris played a crucial role in coordinating the country's efforts to combat the spread of the virus. He announced a number of measures to help slow the spread of the coronavirus, including school closures and a nationwide lockdown.

Throughout the pandemic, Harris was praised for his leadership and for his efforts to keep the public informed. In August 2020, he was appointed Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. Despite leaving his role as Health Minister, Harris remains a key player in the country's response to the pandemic, advocating for measures to protect public health and safety.