Tanaiste Address Varying Issues On Todays Morning Mix

Tanaiste Simon Harris joined Alan Corcoran this morning on Morning Mix. He spoke in length about various issues. Here's a brief synopsis: - Violence at City West Hotel : Harris condemned violent protests that occurred at the City West Hotel in West Dublin, which led to 23 arrests. He emphasized that such actions, like throwing missiles at the police, are not protests but illegal and unacceptable behavior. He also stressed the government's zero-tolerance approach to lawlessness and expressed support for the Gardaí who were attacked. - Concerns About Migration : Harris acknowledged public concerns about migration and assured that the government is working on tighter rules and more efficient processing times. He also mentioned the introduction of deportation flights and confirmed that Tusla is investigating serious issues related to child protection. - Personal Attacks : The Tanaiste addressed his own experience of personal attacks, particularly threats against his family. He thanked the  public for their support and stressed that such threats should not be tolerated in public life. He calls for rational debate without extreme political views hijacking discussions. - Merck Life Science Closure : Harris addressed the planned closure of Merck's Arklow facility by 2028, which will affect local workers. While this news is concerning, he said that the closure offers time for consultation and that the government will support those impacted by finding new opportunities thanks to Ireland's low unemployment rate and ongoing investments. - IDA's Role in Wexford : Harris acknowledged the criticism of the IDA for not paying enough attention to areas like Wicklow and Wexford in attracting investment. He assured that the government along with local representatives will push for more engagement and high-level IDA visits to the region. - SETU Campus : Regarding the Southeast Technological University much promised campus for Wexford  Harris expressed frustration that progress has been slow. He said that funding for the project has been included in the national development plan and he committed to working with colleagues to speed up the process. - Presidential Election : Harris discussed the upcoming presidential election where Fine Gael’s Heather Humphreys is trailing in the polls. He urged people to vote stressing that opinion polls do not decide elections