The Mick Clifford Podcast: Who is in the mix to be the next president?
Meetings, conventions, nomination processes, all are getting underway as the Summer break looms and the boys and girls in Leinster House break out their buckets and spades. But who is in and who will win?
Irish Examiner Political Editor Elaine Loughlin is this week's guest on the podcast.
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Irish Examiner
4 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Letters to the Editor: We have the competence to resolve housing and environmental issues
Living in a post-truth world divided by ever more toxic social media and politics is, we are assured, the challenge of our age. Really? Surely the sense of powerlessness — a reality rather than a sense — is the greater drain on humanity's more noble instincts? Despite protests involving millions across nearly every democracy, Israel continues its genocide and faces no consequences. Putin inflicts atrocity after atrocity in Ukraine, all the while giving two fingers to the world. In the US, Donald Trump jettisons values and institutions that made that country, for a time at least, a real beacon on a hill. In recent weeks, swathes of Europe were ablaze because of record temperatures brought about by climate collapse. The temperatures in Ireland in recent weeks are part of the same implosion. Yet our, and most of the first world's, efforts to slow climate collapse are inadequate — as are conventional environmental protections. The destruction of Irish waterways, especially Lough Erne, accelerates yet there is no meaningful response. There has just been a catastrophic fish kill on the Munster Blackwater but any sanction, if there is even a court case, would probably be covered by the sale of one good calf. In what can only be described as suicidal indifference, our Government continues to argue for an extension of our nitrates derogation — the last one in Europe. Were this issue put to a vote, the derogation would certainly go — yet our parliamentarians can't find the backbone or leadership to end this destructive indulgence. Then there's the housing crisis, a man-made calamity imposing a new kind of serfdom on our young people and their families. The Government of a tiny country like this cannot resolve all of these issues but surely, if our democracy is to remain valid, it should do much, much better on housing and protecting our critically endangered waterways, habitats and general environment ... two domestic issues within its competence. These are dismal thoughts made unavoidable by a complete absence of energetic, principled, political leadership. That no serious political figure wants to challenge for the presidency is just another symptom of this malaise. Jack Power, Inniscarra, Cork Face up to those who sow chaos and division In response to Sarah Harte's marvellous article ('Until we address the question of who has the right to call themselves Irish, we will see more racist attacks' — Irish Examiner, August 13), it seems to me if you were born in Ireland, but if your skin isn't pale, you don't belong. It's my contention that some people's fear of being left behind is being hijacked by a small minority of individuals whose only objective is chaos, hatred, and a divided society. There is no doubt that hatred and racism are inextricably linked. Ms Harte sums up this contentious issue when she says: 'Hatred is always based on fear. Fear of losing something. Real or perceived competition for resources or threats to self-image.' I find something eerie in many Irish occasions where one has to contend with the unrelenting whiteness, the emotional tribal attachments, the violent prejudices lurking beneath apparently pleasant social surfaces allied to the cosy smugness of belonging. Until the State comes down heavily on racist attacks, this egregious behaviour will unquestionably continue. Education in our schools and in our homes on this emotive subject has to be of paramount importance. I believe that we all have the power to bring others with us on the path to equality. The late Nelson Mandela said: 'No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his [or her] skin, or his [or her] background, or his or her religion.' I find such quotes to be a reminder that equality is not just an abstract ideal, but a fundamental human right, and that dismantling racism requires active effort and a commitment to justice and understanding. I want to commend Sarah Harte for the sensitive way in which she handled this controversial and delicate subject. I believe it leaves food for thought for the reader. John O'Brien, Clonmel, Co Tipperary What's your view on this issue? You can tell us here Eating disorders The article headlined 'Number of children hospitalised for eating disorders doubles, new figures show' ( Irish Examiner, August 14) makes for stark reading. Eating disorders are complex medical conditions that not only affect the young person concerned but also their loved ones, family, and friends. Wraparound care is essential, requiring an increase in investment at a national level. Not every treatment will work successfully for every person that presents at a hospital, or is diagnosed with an eating disorder. If any reader, or professional working with young people wants an insight into this issue, I strongly recommend Evanna Lynch's memoir, The Opposite of Butterfly Hunting. It is a harrowing, haunting, honest and unflinching account, and yet, a beautifully-crafted read that reflects the author's own journey with and ultimately overcoming an eating disorder. Stephen O'Hara, Carrowmore, Sligo Plastic pollution I am disappointed at the failure to reach an legal international treaty that would end plastic pollution. Unfortunately, such aspirations will never materialise while many of the participating countries continue to ignore the elephants in the room, namely the failure to acknowledge the importance of a cap on plastic products and being conscious of the chemicals that make up plastic production. No amount of reuse or recycling will compensate while we ignore the quality and quantity of plastic waste we create because, ultimately, the solution must be reflected in what we create. Tadhg O'Donovan, Fermoy, Co Cork What's your view on this issue? You can tell us here Shame on the US Republican party Donald Trump's relentless drive for global approbation knows no boundary. His egoistical posturing in pseudo-peace pursuits, merely to self-promote towards Nobel Peace Prize attention betrays his pathetic shallowness. Coupled with his transactional modus operandi across issues such as tariff threats, nation-snatching (Canada, Greenland) and his Gaza riviera concept etc, it is a grotesque odyssey of basic decorum destruction. Who could believe that a convicted felon, who would be in gaol only for his presidency and who wantonly pardons people who have criminally supported him via their proven illegal actions, can be afforded the untrammelled power to create such global chaos across all settled systems of decency, respect, and democratic behaviour? His attempts to distance himself from his previous Jeffrey Epstein connections is a pathetic abuse of office, arranging faux Alaskan 'conversations' with another world despot to pretend he's a peacemaker, rather than a prior child predator associate. Vladimir Putin will run rings around him in the manipulative machination stakes wherein truth is a total stranger, anathema to both charlatans. How can the US Republican Party stand by in silence with any degree of self-respect? Shame on them. Jim Cosgrove, Lismore, Co Waterford
Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Irish Examiner
Heather Humphreys emerges as favourite for Fine Gael presidential nomination
Former social protection minister Heather Humphreys has emerged as a favourite for the Fine Gael presidential nomination following the shock withdrawal of Mairead McGuinness. Ms Humphreys had earlier this year said that she would not be contesting the presidency having retired from politics before last year's general election to spend more time with her family. However, the Monaghan woman could be set for a remarkable return to politics following Ms McGuinness's announcement on Thursday that she would be withdrawing from the race on medical grounds. Sources within Fine Gael said they believe "the landscape has changed" sufficiently for Ms Humphreys to consider a run if she were approached by the party's leadership. "Heather is someone who could win and I think could be convinced in the circumstances," a senior party source said. Ms Humphreys did not respond to a request for comment on Friday. Ms Humphreys' candidacy was backed by one junior minister from outside her party, with independent TD Michael Healy Rae saying he would back Ms Humphreys "wholeheartedly". Quite simply because she's a very well-grounded person, what I would call a sound, solid political performer. She'd be an excellent person, both nationally and internationally, to fly the flag for Ireland. I would consider her a very safe, sound pair of hands. Ms Humphreys could face a battle for the nomination from Ireland South MEP Sean Kelly. Mr Kelly was believed to have been interested in a run when nominations opened last month, but withdrew without being nominated. It is understood that he is considering his position in light of Ms McGuinness's withdrawal. The former GAA president has been a huge vote-getter for Fine Gael in the south of the country, taking over 127,000 votes in last year's European elections. One former minister who will not be tempted to return, however, is Frances Fitzgerald. She confirmed to the Irish Examiner that she would not seek the nomination, having declined to do so earlier this year. Former minister for foreign affairs Simon Coveney is another name which has been suggested by party members, though he has not responded to speculation. The Fine Gael Executive Committee is set to meet over the weekend to decide the party's next steps. Ms McGuinness's withdrawal means that independent Galway TD Catherine Connolly stands alone as the only candidate currently with the requisite support to be on the ballot. On Friday, Ms Connolly said that she "truly" wishes Ms McGuinness the best. She said it was "premature" to speculate on how the race might be affected by the withdrawal of the former European Commissioner. While a date hasn't been set for the election, there is growing belief within government parties that it will come in late October.
Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Irish Examiner
France Fitzgerald rules herself out of seeking FG nomination in presidential race
Former justice minister Frances Fitzgerald will not seek the Fine Gael nomination for the presidency. Ms Fitzgerald had been mentioned as a potential replacement for former European commissioner Mairead McGuinness, who withdrew from the election on Thursday citing health grounds. However, Ms Fitzgerald confirmed to the Irish Examiner that she would not seek the nomination, having declined to do so earlier this year. The withdrawal of Ms McGuinness means that Fine Gael is seeking a nominee for the election which will happen in the next 11 weeks or so. The party's executive committee is due to meet in the coming days to set out a new nomination process. Within the party, former social protection minister Heather Humphreys has emerged as the preferred candidate. However, sources said it was not yet clear if she would change her mind after having earlier this year announced that she would not be seeking the nomination. Former minister for foreign affairs Simon Coveney is another name which has been suggested, though he has not responded to speculation.
