Mr Harris was the only candidate to seek nomination for the Fine Gael leadership position and was announced as the winner today (Sunday). Mrs Long said she was hopeful he could maintain the positive relationships his predecessors had with those in the north when he becomes Taoiseach.

“I congratulate Simon Harris on his election as Fine Gael leader and with that, becoming Taoiseach-in-waiting, and wish him all the best for the role,” she said.

“As I mentioned when Leo Varadkar resigned, Northern Ireland and the south have a positive relationship, more than at any point in our shared history. I am confident Simon Harris can continue to foster that strong co-operation in his new role.

“We face many challenges in the time ahead and politicians and parties north and south working together can only strengthen our ability to resolve them. I look forward to working with Simon Harris to do just that.”