Simon Harris set to become Ireland's new prime minister

Simon Harris is set to become Ireland's new prime minister, after he was confirmed on Sunday as the new leader of the governing Fine Gael party.

He is to replace Prime Minister of Ireland Leo Varadkar, who unexpectedly announced his resignation on Wednesday as party leader.

Fine Gael will always stand as a proudly pro-European party and will always be a party that will work with all parties across this island of Ireland to embed peace and prosperity, and to make sure we harness the potential of the all-island economy, said Harris at a speech during a party convention.