Naughten says he will vote for Simon Harris as Taoiseach

Local TD Denis Naughten has said he will vote in favour of Simon Harris's election as Taoiseach next Tuesday.

The Roscommon-Galway TD was a Fine Gael representative for fourteen years before leaving the party in 2011 over the decision to close the Emergency Department at Roscommon Hospital.

On social media yesterday (Wednesday) evening, Deputy Naughten wrote that he would be supporting Mr Harris when the Dáil gathers to vote for the next Taoiseach.

"I know Simon Harris for well over 20 years," he wrote.

"I have worked with him in the past on flooding issues, health issues and science issues. And hope to continue to do so.

"I look forward to working with him over the next 12 months as Taoiseach and I'll be voting for him next Tuesday."

A handful of other Independent TDs have declared that they too will be voting for Mr Harris as Taoiseach next week, including Michael Lowry (ex-Fine Gael), Marc McSharry (ex-Fianna Fáil) and Noel Grealish.

Denis Naughten announced in February 2023 that he will not be running in the next general election.