Cork North-West TD and Minister Michael Moynihan vastly outspent rivals in General Election campaign
Fianna Fáil TD and Minister of State Michael Moynihan was the candidate who spent most in an effort to be elected to Cork North-West in General Election 2024.
Minister Moynihan spent close to €23,000 in advance of getting elected to the constituency for a seventh consecutive time last November.
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Irish Examiner
5 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Seán Kelly says he is reconsidering Fine Gael nomination for presidential election
Sean Kelly is reconsidering seeking a nomination to run for president, the Fine Gael MEP has said. The party is re-entering a nomination process for the Áras an Uachtaráin posting, after Mairead McGuinness withdrew from the race on health grounds weeks after securing the party's backing. Former Fine Gael minister Heather Humphreys, who was also previously deputy leader of the party, is also considered to be in the running for the nomination. Heather Humphreys (Brian Lawless/PA) Mr Kelly told Newstalk on Saturday that he had waited to make a statement on the matter. 'My complete sympathy is with Mairead McGuinness. We worked together in the European Parliament for a good number of years 'She was all set to put in a tremendous campaign and hopefully be elected as president. 'I didn't want to say anything, I think she needed the time and space.' Fine Gael will consider the election in the coming days through a meeting of its executive council. Mr Kelly said: 'But obviously the goalposts have changed and you have to definitely reconsider.' He said he did not seek a nomination last time, but added he would 'reconsider very carefully' and 'weigh up all the options' before making a decision. He added that anyone who enters any race had to be 'in it to win it'. Mr Kelly said he wanted to see what Fine Gael's executive believed would be best for the party and country, as well as consider what would be best for his own family. Pressed on whether Ms Humphreys had the backing of the party already, he said he did not think discussions had reached that stage. 'There's no rush, let's take it as it comes.' Elsewhere in the race, independent TD Catherine Connolly has secured the backing of Labour, the Social Democrats, People Before Profit and a range of other independents. Catherine Connolly (Brian Lawless/PA) Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin have yet to decide if they will field a candidate. Fianna Fáil minister Jim O'Callaghan offered reaction to Ms McGuinness's decision to RTÉ News: 'I wish her well in the future. It's a campaign that's getting exciting – as one would expect as we head towards September.' Meanwhile, Nutriband entrepreneur Gareth Sheridan is among hopefuls seeking a nomination. A presidential election is expected towards the end of October, as it must take place in the 60 days before the term of Michael D Higgins ends on November 11. To be eligible to run, a candidate must be an Irish citizen who is 35 or older. They must be nominated either by at least 20 members of the Oireachtas or at least four local authorities. Former or retiring presidents can nominate themselves.
RTÉ News
14 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Strangest of days as launch for Áras overtaken by events
It was the strangest of days. August is usually decried as "peak silly season" as the Dáil, courts, schools and many commentators are off. But it's also seen as a great time to get airtime, should you need it. Gareth Sheridan, the businessman bidding to be Ireland's youngest ever President at 35, launched his campaign on Thursday in the serene surrounds of The Shelbourne, in the Constitution room, no less. Surrounded by portraits of the greats of Irish history like Michael Collins and Éamon de Valera as well as a dozen journalists, the young businessman set out his stall. But he opened up a can of worms when he said he felt there was a campaign being orchestrated against him, while saying he wasn't pointing the finger at any individual. Cue 20 minutes of questions about that very topic. The whole press conference took an hour, and to his credit, Mr Sheridan took it in his stride; is he populist? He says no, while saying he wants to "Make Ireland Home Again". But the toughest thing about his launch? Events, dear boy, events. Barely three hours later, news landed into newsrooms and journalists' emails like a bombshell. Mairead McGuinness was withdrawing from the Presidential race, on health grounds. There was heartfelt shock and messages of support from across the political divide. Understandably most keenly felt in Fine Gael, who had nominated the former EU Commissioner last month. As stated both in her own statement and by the Tánaiste, Ms McGuinness decided to, and had to, prioritise her health. For a politician of over 20 years, and a career in journalism before that, the additional blow of this being her best shot at a job she so clearly wanted made it all the more poignant. Mairead McGuinness wanted to run in 2011 but dropped out to clear the way for Gay Mitchell. 2025 could have been her year, according to polls, but it's not to be. Where does this leave Fine Gael, who were far ahead of their partners in Government and their natural foes, Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin? You could count Fianna Fáil there twice. I'm looking up at you Collins and Dev. Several senior Fine Gael ministers and former ministers say the party should and will field a candidate. Their Executive Council will meet shortly to choose the person and keep the momentum going. Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin are biding their time. The feeling of TDs in both parties is they should nominate a candidate, but there are pros and cons to that. It costs a lot of money, and a significant spend is no guarantee of success. It might make sense to wait and see who Fine Gael chooses. Frances Fitzgerald says her decision remains the same as previously, and she won't seek the nomination. While MEP Seán Kelly says he will "most likely reconsider" his possible candidacy in the campaign "in light of Mairead's unfortunate withdrawal". Heather Humphreys is the name on everyone's lips, but she's keeping hers shut, for now. Michael Healy-Rae, the Independent minister, says she would make an excellent candidate, and would appeal to a wide base. That won't be music to any other potential contender's ears. If Simon Harris, or anyone else in Fine Gael could persuade Heather Humphreys to reconsider, it would certainly be an interesting development. Up until recently, this presidential campaign was sorely lacking in those.
Irish Examiner
a day ago
- Irish Examiner
Mairead McGuiness' withdrawal leaves only one clear candidate for presidential election
The withdrawal of Mairead McGuinness from the presidential election leaves what had been an unclear picture even foggier. With just ten or eleven weeks to go, there is just one candidate left in the race who has the requisite support from the Oireachtas to be on the ballot. No councils have, as yet, shown a willingness to back candidates. Catherine Connolly has secured the backing of Labour, the Social Democrats, People Before Profit, and a range of other independent politicians and at her campaign launch late last month said that she is 'ready' to be president of Ireland as 'part of a movement'. It is unlikely that Ms Connolly will be alone in the field for long as Fine Gael gets set to convene its Executive Committee. Fine Gael In the wake of Ms McGuinness's withdrawal, speculation focused on a quartet of names; former ministers Heather Humphreys, Frances Fitzgerald, and Simon Coveney, and sitting MEP Sean Kelly. While her former ministerial colleagues have kept their counsel, the former justice minister ruled herself out. On Friday afternoon, Ms Fitzgerald confirmed to the Irish Examiner that she would not seek the nomination, having declined to do so earlier this year. She had said in April that she discussed the possibility with Fine Gael leader Simon Harris and had been approached by 'many people', but would not be entering the race. She has since joined the consultancy firm Teneo. Mr Coveney joined EY as a consultant in April, but has been suggested by some in Fine Gael as a potential candidate. Mr Coveney previously served as a minister in a number of briefs — including foreign affairs, agriculture, and enterprise. However, he called time on a political career that spanned four decades after opting not to contest last year's election. Ireland South MEP Mr Kelly, who was elected with a massive 127,000 votes last June, opted not to contest the Fine Gael nomination race, leaving the way clear for former European commissioner Ms McGuinness. However, he is believed to be reconsidering his position in light of Ms McGuinness's withdrawal and sources believe he will run for the party's nomination, having been interested earlier this summer. Former minister Heather Humphreys has emerged as the favourite within the party. Picture: Gareth Chaney Ms Humphreys, the former social protection minister, has emerged as the favourite within the party, though some have questioned whether she would change her mind given her reasons for leaving politics. Ms Humphreys opted not to contest the last election, having been elected in 2011 and serving as a minister in a number of departments. She was seen within Fine Gael as someone who might contend this year's election, but speaking to the Joe Finnegan Show on Northern Sound in May, Ms Humphreys said that while she had given the idea some thought, she was committed to spending more time with her family. Fianna Fáil Within Fianna Fáil, some members of the parliamentary party believe that their candidate will not emerge until the middle of September, with Taoiseach Micheál Martin recently unequivocally ruling himself out. The party's issue is that it does not have an obvious candidate. Former taoiseach Bertie Ahern has long been linked with a run, but has appeared cool on the idea at times. Former minister Mary Hanafin was vocal last month that the party should run a candidate before writing to members asking that she be put forward. That idea was rejected by many TDs. University of Ulster professor Deirdre Heenan has been reported as being in talks with the party, while former footballer Niall Quinn is another name that has been suggested. Sinn Féin Party president Mary Lou McDonald kicked off huge speculation by not ruling out a bid for the Áras in July, but it is expected that a final decision from the party will be made in the next two weeks. Some believe using Ms McDonald as a presidential candidate would be "a waste", while others believe the party should row in behind Ms Connolly as a show of left-wing solidarity. Independents Last week, pharma entrepreneur Gareth Sheridan announced he was entering the race. Largely unknown, the 35-year-old has said that he has enough support to have his nomination brought to at least four councils. Another businessman, Nick Delehanty, also 35, ran in local and general elections in Dublin under the tagline 'make crime illegal' and has said he is seeking the nomination. He told the Irish Examiner he has the same number. Former MMA fighter Conor McGregor last week set up a petition seeking people to express their wish for him to be on the ballot paper. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA Lord of the Dance star Michael Flatley last month told a court that he 'intends to seek nominations to run for President", but said this week that he will make his intentions clearer soon. Former MMA fighter Conor McGregor last week set up a petition seeking people to express their wish for him to be on the ballot paper. The Sunday Times reported that Mr McGregor is considered a legal challenge to the eligibility rules, though it is not clear upon which grounds the challenge would be based.
