Irish leader Simon Harris preparing for any ‘economic shock’ under Trump presidency

Ireland’s Taoiseach Simon Harris says he is setting aside “significant funds” to protect the country from any economic shock under Donald Trump’s presidency.

But the Fine Gael leader, whose party is seeking a historic fourth consecutive term in Friday’s general election, remains hopeful of retaining good trade relations.

President-elect Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on EU imports and appointed a commerce secretary who has vowed to entice US multinationals back from Ireland.

In the first of Sky News’ leader interviews ahead of the election, Mr Harris said: “I think president Trump does mean what he says in terms of his position in relation to trade and tariffs.

“And I think president Trump has received a very large mandate in terms of the outcome of the US presidential election.

“That’s why I’m preparing my country and working with EU counterparts to prepare the EU for that change.

“Ireland can approach this with confidence. There are many reasons firms locate in Ireland, including our access to the European Union.

“But we can never be complacent, and that’s why my party is setting aside a very significant amount into funds, future funds, to protect our country from any economic shock.”

Mr Harris, 39, became Ireland’s youngest-ever prime minister when Leo Varadkar resigned seven months ago, and says he entered politics to be an advocate.

He vowed to fix the country’s housing crisis, building 300,000 homes in five years, adding it’s rare to have both “the money and the plan”.

On immigration, the other major issue, he promised a “fair but firmer” approach, building on Ireland’s recent experience regarding processing times and deportation orders.

Mr Harris said no one needed reminding about the Celtic Tiger crash, adding his party would set aside “billions of euro” as a buffer.

He described Irish unity as his aspiration, and that of his party, but said he was focused on “making the Good Friday Agreement work”.

Read more:
What to know about the Irish election
Ireland’s election was a badly-kept secret
Michael O’Leary comments on teachers branded ‘crass and ill-informed’

“You do not unite people by arbitrary dates or deadlines for polls. You unite people by winning hearts and minds,” he added.

Asked if he expected to see unity in his lifetime, he replied: “I think it’s entirely possible… but I’m not ready to put deadlines on these things.

“When you do, you drive people further away, rather than closer together.”

Watch Simon Harris’s full interview on Sky News’ Trevor Phillips on Sunday programme from 8.30am, and for other leader interviews see Politics Hub next week