Fine Gael Leadership Campaign 2017
Simon Coveney
My values come from growing up surrounded by a Fine Gael family. My life experiences have created an appetite for taking calculated risks, challenging the status quo, and taking on big challenges. It’s time for Fine Gael to take on new big challenges again.
The political Leadership I want to provide will be based on optimism, positivity and hard work. Will be based on big ideas and creating a new vision for the country that can unite people rather than dividing them.
Fine Gael needs to be a party for everybody. My Leadership will build on the strengths that Fine Gael have shown in the past and take this country in a new and much more positive direction.
Join me on that journey and believe me this party will get much stronger, but more importantly this country will be in a better place.
Profile
D.O.B.
16.06.1972, Age: 44
Home
Carrigaline, County Cork
Education
B.Sc. in Agriculture and Land Management from The Royal Agriculture College, Gloucestershire
Experience
I’m an experienced Public Representative with almost 20 years of service as a Councillor, TD, MEP and Minister. My experience nationally and in Europe gives me a deep understanding of the challenges facing our country and across Europe.
I have extensive experience and knowledge of working in Europe both as an MEP and as a former Agriculture and Defence Minister, who successfully Chaired the EU Council of Ministers at a time of huge change for the farming and food sectors. I am ideally placed to continue the excellent work of Enda Kenny and see through a successful Brexit negotiation for the country.
I know how to campaign and how to deliver. My focus in Government from 2011 to 2016 was on transforming our food industry. I negotiated a new CAP & CFP to allow jobs, incomes and communities in the farming, fishing and food sector to thrive.
In Defence I am proud of my decision to send our navy to the Mediterranean on humanitarian grounds. I also published a new 10 year vision for the Defence Forces.
My first-hand experience of the lengthy and detailed process of negotiating a Programme for Government gave me a unique insight into the huge challenges involved in both building and sustaining a coalition government.
Within the current Government I specifically requested the Housing portfolio, to solve the Housing market left in tatters by Fianna Fáil because I believed that housing was the most pressing issue facing Irish society. I don’t shirk challenges.
I believe that the current Government has a programme that commits to much-needed change and reform in the delivery of services. If you elect me as Party Leader I will set out further ambitious goals for both Party and country to aspire to.
Interests
Huge Rugby fan having played for Crosshaven, Garryowen and Internationally for Irish Colleges. Keen swimmer and sailor, led a charity sailing trip around the world. Enjoys the outdoors having climbed Kilimanjaro and bungee jumped over Victoria Falls. I attend live music events and concerts whenever I can, with U2 being my favourite band.
Achievements
Agriculture and Defence
- Chaired the EU Council of 27 Ministers and negotiated and delivered with the EU Commission and European Parliament an historic reform of the CAP and the Common Fisheries Policy.
- Working tirelessly with farming and food industry stakeholders developed and implemented the most ambitious and widest ranging blueprint for growing the food industry in Ireland. (search ‘Food Wise 2025’ for more info)
- Transformed the overseas marketing of Irish food by leading the political team that opened up crucial new markets like China and the US for our beef.
Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government
- Launched a new, comprehensive housing plan, Rebuilding Ireland (www.RebuildingIreland.ie).
- Negotiated an allocation of €5.3bn for housing to deliver 47,000 extra units by 2021
- After 9 months the results can be seen; Housing Builds, Planning Applications and Mortgage Approvals are up. The plan is working.
Water
- In March of this year I, along with the Fine Gael team on the Oireachtas Committee, settled the highly contentious issue of water charging that is both legally sound and promotes conservation – despite significant political opposition.
Constitutional referenda
- In the course of the last Government I was the Government’s Director of Elections for two hugely important Constitutional Referenda; the EU Stability Treaty and the Marriage Equality referendum. Leading a strong team on behalf of the Government both votes were successfully passed.
Questions & Answers
Why should you be the next leader of Fine Gael?
Politics today is more cynical and divided than ever. Government currently struggles to unite people behind a new vision for the country. We can change that together. We need to start uniting Ireland around a positive and ambitious vision where Fine Gael politics can take the country now.
I know I can lead that positive change. I've always been an optimistic, results focused person who likes to set ambitious goals and go after them. I've learned how to get things done in politics – as a Councillor, TD, MEP or Minister. The key to getting things done is building and motivating a team and providing leadership through clear thinking, a strong work ethos and high standards.
Our challenge now is to galvanise that talent through renewed leadership to maintain our place as Ireland's largest political party. More importantly, we must provide the political direction in Government to deal with the challenges and opportunities ahead with an honest and a value system we can be proud of.
What is your vision for the Fine Gael party?
I think that Fine Gael must find a way to start uniting Ireland around a positive and ambitious new vision for our country; one that seeks to build on the values we share and move beyond old fears or new prejudices.
I believe that within the Fine Gael membership we have the best talent, energy and commitment of any political party. I want the opportunity as Leader to harness that talent, energy and commitment in our party for the benefit of our country.
What is your vision for Ireland?
My vision for Ireland is to create;
• A just and ambitious country that is tolerant, diverse and progressive with opportunity for everyone across rural and urban communities;
• An Ireland that feels good about itself with well-functioning public services and a sustainable, competitive and regionally balanced economy;
• An Ireland that is less adversarial and more united behind a common set of values, rebuilding trust between people and Government;
• An Ireland of proud global citizens, leading by example with new thinking and real progress on climate and human rights;
• A country that prioritises families, building strong, resilient, local communities.
What are your main priorities in terms of policy?
If we are to successfully modernise Ireland to become a compassionate, tolerant and progressive society under Fine Gael leadership we need to do three things;
1. Set out a clear reform agenda for the Fine Gael party, drawing on the lessons we learned from the last General Election.
2. Modernise Government to make it much more effective at delivering ambitious policy goals; and
3. Deliver a clear vision for transforming Ireland into a country in which every person has the opportunity to reach his or her full potential.
Outside of politics, how do you like to spend your spare time?
Family is really important to me so I try to spend as much time as I can with my wife and our three daughters. I’m a keen sports fan so whether it’s going for a run or taking the girls out on bikes or going to the beach which I’m very luck to live near, when I have free time I try to make the most of it by getting out and about. I also enjoy heading down to Thomand Park to catch Munster playing whenever I can find the time. I’m a big fan of Homeland and love live music and try to get to a few gigs every year.
