Simon Harris says he is ‘human and made a mistake’ after apology to care worker, amid FG poll slump

The latest opinion poll showed Fine Gael is down four points in opinion polls and Mr Harris’s personal approval rating has hit a low of 47pc, placing him on a par with Micheal Martin.

The poll was carried out last Thursday and Friday, before a video emerged of Mr Harris being challenged about disability services by a voter while on the campaign trail at a supermarket in Kanturk, Co Cork.

Speaking at a Fine Gael members’ rally at Ireland West (Knock) Airport where former taoiseach Enda Kenny gave a rousing speech to delegates, Mr Harris said he unconcerned about polls.

“I think we always know the polls reset from the elections, because I’ve heard lots of people talk about that right back to Bertie Ahern — who makes that point on a regular basis,” he said.

“And it’s been very clear to me, really since day one of this election campaign, that this is going to be a very tightly contested, close general election.

“And really makes it all the more important that I talk to the people of Ireland about our plan and what we want to achieve over the next five years.

“But also about the need to be able to put together a stable Government with a clear majority after this election.

“We are living in very difficult and challenging times there is economic uncertainty growing in the world and I want my party to be in a position to play a leadership role in that government and lead that government.

“And that is why right up until 10pm on Friday night I will be asking people to vote number one for Fine Gael.

“It is also why I think, and I will make this point too, there is national polls and then there is 43 individual contests.

“And if you look at a number of polls we have seen on constituency levels it has been very good news. I am standing here with four incredible candidates in Mayo.

“A recent poll showing we have a shot at three seats in Mayo so everything is to play for. It is a very tight election and we are going to work even harder between now and Friday,” Mr Harris added.

Asked if he was worried about his personal approval rating dropping, the Taoiseach said: “I think the poll today shows my rating continue to be the joint most popular leader in the country.

“But I don’t take that for granted at all. I’d make the point this election is never about me, about Fine Gael, Fianna Fail or Sinn Fein it is about the people of Ireland.

“I am so looking forward to this week to the opportunity to explain to the Irish people our economic plan and explain how my party wants to help them in the here and now in the cost of living.

“And wants to invest in infrastructure and crucially wants to put money aside as a buffer.”

Asked if his apology to care worker Charlotte Fallon could overshadow his campaign and place Fine Gael in a position where they wouldn’t have the success they thought they would, the Taoiseach again apologised.

The Taoiseach has said he is “human and made a mistake” but he owned that mistake.

“I mean, there have been far too many occasions during general elections in this country and abroad where something goes wrong on the campaign trail and people dilly-dally and debate for days,” he said.

Mr Harris said: “I was wrong simple as that. I spoke to Charlotte. But much more important to me now in my engagement with Charlotte and people across this country is what I am going to do for people with disabilities.”

Mr Harris said he was not “over-analysing” the impact the incident could have on his campaign.

The Taoiseach would not be drawn on a report in the Sunday Independent that party chief whip Hildegarde Naughton campaigned with Cllr Patsy O’Brien when she allegedly knew he was accused of sending inappropriate messages to a Fine Gael staff member.

Cllr O’Brien was subsequently expelled from Fine Gael for gross misconduct.

Asked specifically if he had anything to say about Ms Naughton campaigning with O’Brien before his suspension from the party the Taoiseach said: “My party follows due process.”

“A complaint was made to our party, the now independent councillor was suspended, was expelled, and has contested the local elections — a Seanad election — and now a general election against Fine Gael,” Mr Harris said.

“I’ve been very clear that my party took the right action in acting to expel them on the basis of gross misconduct. Due process obviously has to be followed.

“My party is in touch with the complainant. If the complainant has asked media, as well as my party, to keep that engagement confidential, I want to respect their privacy.”