SIMON Harris was elected Taoiseach this week after Leo Varadkar dramatically quit.
In his opening days as leader, Harris made promises about tackling the housing crisis, making Dublin safer with a new task force and making real changes for people with disabilities.
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Disabilities is a key area of focus for the Wicklow TD after he was inspired into politics as a teenager to fight for supports for his brother following his autism diagnosis.
And in one of his first moves as Taoiseach, Simon Harris this week established a new Cabinet Committee to focus on children, education and disability.
However, opposition politicians claim he will be no different as leader than Leo Varadkar.
Here, new Taoiseach Simon Harris sets out his stall for Irish Sun on Sunday readers about what he plans to get done in the one year he has in charge.
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JUST over five days ago, I was given the honour of my life when Dáil Éireann elected me Taoiseach of this great country.
On that day, I promised to be a Taoiseach for all and that is my commitment to The Irish Sun readers again today.
Because I know what it feels like when you feel your voice is not being heard.
I am an accidental politician. I’m here because I wanted to advocate for additional services for children with autism.
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My family witnessed this first-hand with my brother Adam. So, I started advocating and arguing.
I have been following The Irish Sun’s campaigns in recent years and you have always stood shoulder to shoulder with people who need our help.
Moment emotional new Taoiseach Simon Harris is interrupted by young son Cillian on first Dail speech
Working to improve Irish people's lives
I want you to know that I will spend every day working to improve the lives of people all over Ireland and create an Ireland where every child has an equal opportunity in life.
We will do that through improved access to childcare, removing the barriers to accessing education and creating a health service that is accessible and affordable.
Housing will be my number one priority. It is the greatest challenge facing our country.
Too many adult children feel trapped in their childhood room at home with their parents. Or trapped in a rental property unable to save for a deposit so they can buy their own home.
There is only one solution to this and that is more new-build and starter homes.
We have done our homework on the capacity of the Irish construction sector, and I pledge that under my leadership, we will build 250,000 new homes all over Ireland in the next five years.
This will start next year, and supply will increase year on year and help make housing affordable again for young people starting their careers.
We must elevate our level of ambition on housing, and we will leave no stone unturned.
We all know the dedication and professionalism shown by our medical staff throughout this country.
They are the backbone of our hospitals and community care settings, and it is the Government’s job to ensure they have what they need to deliver services at a time when people are at their most vulnerable in our hospitals.
'Increased capacity and improved access'
What you will get from my leadership in this Government is increased capacity and improved access. We will open up more beds and operating theatres, recruit more GPs, consultants, nurses and therapists.
I will also introduce the Mental Health Bill and reform Mental Health Services.
Our farmers are having a terrible time lately and the wet weather has had very serious effects on getting animals out on the land and crops in the ground.
Earlier this week, we announced a Fodder Support Scheme to assist farmers having difficulty with fodder supplies for their animals and we will continue to work with the farming community to provide further support if required in the coming weeks.
I will also work with all stakeholders to do all we can to maintain Ireland’s nitrates derogation which is essential for our grass-based food production system.
Another area that has repeatedly been raised with me over the weeks and months is the issue of law and order.
The disgusting scenes we witnessed in Dublin last November can never be tolerated. I will establish a Dublin City Centre task force to bring forward a plan, at speed, to chart a path towards a safer and more vibrant capital city.
It is time we had pride in our capital city again.
Body cams
I have also tasked Minster McEntee with fast-tracking legislation to make sure heinous criminals serve longer sentences before they are even considered for parole.
Body cameras for our Gardai will also be rolled out and I will introduce tougher penalties for knife crimes, anti-social behaviour and more prison spaces so those who harm society pay the price.
Tomorrow, with my colleague Heather Humphreys, I will announce an expansion of the hot school meals programme and we will continue to expand this in the coming months and years. I am the father of two young children.
My actions and motivations in my new role will be aimed at creating a better Ireland for them and for all of our children.
I look forward to working for and with you to deliver on this vision for Ireland.
