Race for Áras heats up as Heather Humphreys is formally nominated as FG presidential candidate just hours after declaring candidacy
The proud Monaghan native and holder of multi cabinet portfolios formally declared her candidacy this morning just a matter of months after announcing her decision to retire from public life for good at the last November.
Just a matter of minutes after making her intentions clear, Ms Humphreys was formally nominated by Longford-Westmeath Fine Gael TD Micheál Carrigy.
Follow Independent Longford on Facebook
The Ballinalee postmaster and chair of the Fine Gael parliamentary party is widely viewed as being one of its fastest rising stars in a move that is likely to spark a hotly contested two week nomination process.
Mr Carrigy said his decision to put forward Ms Humphrey's name had been largely determined by the former Cavan-Monaghan TD's long-standing cabinet career and by the all-inclusive approach she would bring to the role.
'During her time in national politics she has supported every community in Longford/Westmeath and indeed throughout the country,' he said.
'She will bring energy and enthusiasm to the role both nationally North and South and internationally.'
Those remarks followed on from Ms Humphrey's own assertions and ambitions to use the Irish presidency as a conduit to facilitate 'reconciliation and understanding' on both sides of the border.
'We are living in an increasingly divisive world and I believe the president can be a unifying force in this country that really brings people together,' she said.
'I do want to deepen relationships between the people of this island, both north and south and I want to be a president a modern and outward looking Ireland with pride on the international stage.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Journal
an hour ago
- The Journal
Why has Sally Rooney been warned over supporting Palestine Action - and why did the UK ban it?
AUTHOR SALLY ROONEY could face prosecution in the UK if she delivers on promises to support Palestine Action, a group that the British government has proscribed as a terrorist organisation. Palestine Action is a direct action group that was founded in 2020. It has been protesting the UK's export of arms to Israel, as well as Israel's war on Gaza and treatment of Palestinians, through actions like demonstrations, building occupations and vandalism of properties it believes to have links to arms sales to Israel. Hundreds of people have been arrested in the UK since last month for showing their support for Palestine Action since it was designated as a terrorist association. The move by the government and the plethora of arrests that followed have sparked debate within the UK and internationally about the differences between a social movement versus a terrorist organisation, and about freedoms of expression and assembly. Rooney, the author of novels including Normal People and Intermezzo hailing from Co Mayo, has indicated that she intends to use proceeds from her work to support Palestine Action, but has been warned she could face consequences. What did Rooney say, how has the UK government responded, and why did it ban Palestine Action in the first place? What did Sally Rooney say about Palestine Action? Writing in the Irish Times at the weekend, Rooney said that she supports Palestine Action and its protesting of Israel's violence against Palestine, and that she would use proceeds from her work to support the group. 'If this makes me a 'supporter of terror' under UK law, so be it,' Rooney said. 'My books, at least for now, are still published in Britain, and are widely available in bookshops and even supermarkets. In recent years the UK's state broadcaster has also televised two fine adaptations of my novels, and therefore regularly pays me residual fees,' she wrote. 'I want to be clear that I intend to use these proceeds of my work, as well as my public platform generally, to go on supporting Palestine Action and direct action against genocide in whatever way I can. 'If the British state considers this 'terrorism', then perhaps it should investigate the shady organisations that continue to promote my work and fund my activities, such as WH Smith and the BBC.' She also criticised the Irish government for not standing with Irish activists arrested for supporting Palestine Action in the UK. Rooney has been an outspoken critic of Israel's war on Gaza and a supporter of freedom for Palestine. Advertisement Nearly two years since October 2023, Israel has around 62,000 people in Gaza, displaced hundreds of thousands of people, and flattened countless homes and buildings. With Israel strictly limiting the amount of aid allowed in to Gaza, many people are now dying of starvation, including young children. How has the UK government responded to Rooney? A spokesperson for UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer was asked in Westminster about Rooney's comments. They would not comment on her remarks specifically but set out the position that there 'is a difference between showing support for a proscribed organisation, which is an offence under the Terrorism Act, and legitimate protest in support of a cause'. Asked what Downing Street's position is in relation to anyone considering making donations to Palestine Action, the spokesperson said: 'Support for a proscribed organisation is an offence under the Terrorism Act and obviously the police will, as they have set out, they will obviously implement the law within the law as you'd expect.' Why has the UK banned Palestine Action? Among countries in Europe, the UK has been one of Israel's staunchest allies, including through being an exporter of arms to Israel, though it has also recognised the scale of devastation Israel has created in Gaza. In June, British Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said she was proscribing Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation under the UK's Terrorism Act. It followed members of the group allegedly breaking into a military airfield and vandalising Royal Air Force (RAF) aircrafts. Announcing the decision to proscribe it as a terrorist organisation, Cooper said that Palestine Action's activity has 'increased in frequency and severity since the start of 2024 and its methods have become more aggressive, with its members demonstrating a willingness to use violence'. The UK's Terrorism Act makes it an offence for a person to belong to a proscribed organisation, to show or invite support for such an organisation, to express an opinion or belief that is supportive of it, or to arrange or manage a meeting that involves supporting the organisation, furthering its activities, or hearing from a member belonging to it. A person found guilty of an offence under the relevant legislation can face imprisonment or a fine, or both. The UK's decision has received criticism internationally. UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk said that by international standards, understandings of terrorist acts should be 'confined to criminal acts intended to cause death or serious injury or to the taking of hostages, for purpose of intimidating a population or to compel a government to take a certain action or not'. 'It misuses the gravity and impact of terrorism to expand it beyond those clear boundaries to encompass further conduct that is already criminal under the law,' Türk said. Additional reporting by Press Association Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Post
an hour ago
- Irish Post
Humphreys and Kelly declare for Fine Gael presidential nomination
THE RACE to become Fine Gael's candidate for the Irish presidency has heated up, with a high-stakes internal contest with former Minister Heather Humphreys and MEP Seán Kelly both confirming their bids. The decision follows the unexpected withdrawal of Mairead McGuinness from the race due to health concerns, prompting Fine Gael to reconvene and reboot its selection process. Nominations will remain open until Tuesday, September 2. If more than one candidate secures sufficient support, the contest will go to the party's electoral college, culminating in a presidential selection convention in mid-September. Heather Humphreys confirmed on Northern Sound radio that she would be contesting the nomination. 'I've decided to go for it,' she said, citing the altered political landscape following McGuinness's departure. She previously served with distinction at the Departments of Social Protection, Rural Development, and Arts, which cemented her as a familiar figure to councillors and grassroots organisers across the country. Seán Kelly, a high-profile MEP and former GAA president, also announced his intention to seek the nomination. Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Kelly said he was 'delighted and enthusiastic' about the prospect of running for president, after what he described as 'the hardest decision' to initially step back from the race. 'Now that it's open again, the momentum and encouragement from people across the country convinced me to run,' Kelly said. He promised an 'energetic' presidency and pledged to 'bring the Áras to the people.' While Kelly remains a major electoral force, topping the poll in last year's European elections, he faces a tougher battle to win the Fine Gael nomination. His perceived distance from the Oireachtas could be a significant barrier to securing the required backing from 20 members of the parliamentary party. By contrast, Humphreys is believed to have strong support within the parliamentary ranks and among ministers, who are likely to align with party leader and Tánaiste Simon Harris. Candidates need backing from 20 parliamentary party members, 25 councillors, and five Executive Council members. The Executive Council recently met virtually, due to the holiday season, formally reopening nominations and wishing McGuinness a full recovery. Tánaiste Harris reiterated the party's intent to contest the presidency. 'There will now be an opportunity for people to seek the nomination and engage with our TDs, Senators, Councillors and members from right across Ireland,' he said. 'I wish any and all prospective candidates the very best.' The party's electoral college assigns 55% of voting power to the parliamentary party, 30% to members with two years' standing, and 15% to councillors, making internal party support a big factor in determining the nominee. Across the aisle, Fianna Fáil is facing mounting pressure to make a move. MEP Billy Kelleher has called for an urgent meeting of the party's parliamentary group to decide whether to run its own candidate or support an external contender. Party leader Micheál Martin has said a decision will come 'towards the end of the month'. Names floated within Fianna Fáil include former ministers Mary Hanafin and Peter Power, MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, and businessman Declan Ganley. Ganley, along with Gareth Sheridan of Nutriband, has already been canvassing local authorities for nomination backing. Meanwhile, Sinn Féin remains undecided. Leader Mary Lou McDonald has not ruled herself out, and speculation continues around potential candidates such as John Finucane and former leader Gerry Adams. A handful of independent or celebrity names have been reported in the media as potential contenders, including Michael Flatley, WHO official Dr Mike Ryan, and former CMO Dr Tony Holohan. MMA fighter Conor McGregor has long hinted at a potential run but remains non-committal. President Michael D. Higgins' term ends on November 11, with the presidential election constitutionally required to take place within the preceding 60 days. That leaves just two months for parties to finalise their nominations and hit the campaign trail.
RTÉ News
an hour ago
- RTÉ News
Adams donates BBC defamation damages to 'good causes'
Gerry Adams has said he has made donations to "good causes" after the BBC paid the former Sinn Féin leader €100,000 in defamation damages. The British broadcaster lost a defamation case earlier this year after Mr Adams took them to court over a 2016 episode of its Spotlight programme and an accompanying online story. They contained an allegation that Mr Adams sanctioned the killing of former Sinn Féin official Denis Donaldson. Mr Adams denied any involvement. In May, a jury at the High Court in Dublin found in his favour and awarded him €100,000, determining that was the meaning of words included in the programme and article. Johnsons Solicitors, which represented Mr Adams in his action, confirmed that the BBC has discharged the order of the court in relation to the compensation to their client. Mr Adams said he intended to donate any damages awarded to good causes. The law firm said donations have been made to "Unicef for the children of Gaza", local GAA organisations, a support group for republican prisoners and their families called An Cumman Cabhrach, to the Irish language sector, to the "homeless and Belfast based youth, mental health and suicide prevention projects" and others.
