Fionnán Sheahan: Tiktok taoiseach-elect Simon Harris rallies the Blueshirts, vows to reconnect Fine Gael with the people – and even has a pop at Provos

‘Serious Simon’ Harris kept nodding his head in agreement with himself as he threw raw meat to Fine Gael members at his leadership election convention

Simon Harris elected Fine Gael leader

Fionnán Sheahan

Simon Coveney was put out to pasture by Michael Ring. ‘The Ringer’ paid tribute to him for his contribution to Irish politics. The 700 party members at the Sheraton Hotel in Athlone got to their feet to give him a standing ovation.

Several TDs sitting near the front of the crowd were sniggering away and Coveney seemed embarrassed by the plaudits that were more in keeping with someone who had retired. Coveney is still TD for Cork South-Central, still Enterprise Minister and still Fine Gael deputy leader. For now, anyway.