Independent Ireland open to talking to Holohan and Flatley should they seek presidential nominations
is open to talking to former chief medical officer (CMO)
Tony Holohan
and Irish dancing star
Michael Flatley
, should they seek nominations from Oireachtas members to enter the
presidential election
, party leader Michael Collins has said.
Meanwhile, former
Fianna Fáil
minister Mary Hanafin, who has expressed an interest in running herself, said at the weekend
it would be 'an insult' to the office of the presidency if her party does not run a candidate
.
Last week saw the presidential election race heat up.
The first declared candidates – former European Commissioner and Fine Gael MEP Mairead McGuinness and Independent TD Catherine Connolly – emerged in the battle to succeed President Michael D Higgins.
READ MORE
[
Mairead McGuinness leads the field in a list of potential presidential election candidates, poll shows
Opens in new window
]
A report in the Irish Mail on Sunday suggested that Mr Holohan is preparing to launch a bid to become president. The newspaper quoted him as neither confirming or denying this.
Last night, Mr Holohan, who became the public face of the State's response to the Covid-19 pandemic, told The Irish Times: 'I have nothing further to add to this story as yet'.
Separately Lord of the Dance star Mr Flatley did not rule himself out of seeking a nomination to run for the presidency.
Mr Flatley suggested on RTÉ Radio 1 that he may run
'if I thought that I could be of benefit to the Irish people'
.
Those wishing to secure a place on the presidential election ballot paper must secure nominations from 20 Oireachtas members or four local authorities.
Independent Ireland leader Mr Collins expressed an openness to hearing from Mr Holohan and Mr Flatley should they approach his party seeking nominations.
Independent Ireland have four TDs and Mr Collins said 'those four votes could be vital to some candidate'.
He said: 'We haven't signed for anybody as of yet.'
He said the party had already met three individuals in relation to the presidency – businessman Declan Ganley, Ms Connolly, and another person who wants to remain private for now.
Mr Collins said: 'We'd be open to meeting everyone that wants to have a discussion with us' while 'they have to have a realistic chance' and prove they have 16 other votes.
Fianna Fáil minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chamber's said he was not aware of any engagements between his party and Mr Holohan when asked about the former CMO on RTÉ radio.
He also said Fianna Fáil was 'assessing its options' on the presidential election when asked if he agreed with the view expressed by Ms Hanafin at the Patrick MacGill Summer School that it would be 'an insult' to the office of the presidency if her party did not contest the election.
She told those present: 'I firmly believe that the largest party of the country, which is the largest at local level, largest at national level, should be running'.
Ms Hanafin has made clear her desire to run for Fianna Fáil but is yet to receive public support from senior party figures.
Mr Chambers said Fianna Fáil is listening to its members and will make a decision on the presidential election in early autumn.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Examiner
4 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
EU to appoint diplomat to help with efforts to free Gena Heraty
The EU will appoint a diplomat in Haiti to help in Irish efforts to free Gena Heraty and other hostages. It comes as the family of the kidnapped charity worker asked people to keep her in their hearts and pray for her safe and speedy return. Ms Heraty, from Westport, Co Mayo, was one of eight people seized from the Sainte-Hélène orphanage, about 10km from Port-au-Prince. As diplomatic efforts continue to secure her release, the Mayo woman's family issued a statement on Tuesday night through the Department of Foreign Affairs, saying they are still coming to terms with what has happened. 'We continue to work closely with Nos Petits Frères et Soeurs (NPFS) in Haiti and Ireland, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and international partners who have all assured us that everything possible is being done to get Gena, and those taken with her, safely released as soon as possible,' the family said. 'Gena is loved and respected by so many people, as is evident in the outpouring of concern, support and prayers from everyone near and far. "We are truly so grateful for all the messages of support we have received over the past few days," they added. Earlier, Tánaiste and foreign affairs minister Simon Harris held talks his Haitian counterpart, Jean-Victor Harvel Jean-Baptiste, and said the minister assured him of his support in their work to ensure the safe release of Ms Heraty and all the hostages. Special point of contact Mr Harris has raised the case with the EU's high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, Kaja Kallas. Ms Kallas supported the Tánaiste's request for the EU to designate a specific point of contact in Haiti, working directly with Ireland on the ongoing efforts to free Gena and the other hostages. The EU currently has a team of representatives based in Haiti. A spokesman said the Tánaiste has been in 'constant contact with the Heraty family, and updated them on these developments'. They also stated that 'different avenues at both political and diplomatic level continue to be exhausted as part of the ongoing efforts to secure Gena'. " The kidnapping of Gena Heraty, her co-workers, and a three-year-old child is utterly devastating,' Mr Harris said. 'This is a particularly difficult time for the Heraty family. My Department and I will continue to provide them whatever support they need. "I was glad to secure the full backing of the EU's high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, Kaja Kallas. She has agreed to immediately put in place measures to support Ireland in relation to this case. "This is an important development, ensuring that this case is firmly on the agenda of the European Union and our EU colleagues," he added.
Irish Examiner
4 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Foreign Affairs distances itself from Senator Martin Conway's speech in Finland
The Department of Foreign Affairs has stated that Senator Martin Conway, who has been the subject of a number of recent controversies, was not representing the State when he spoke at a recent political event in Finland. Mr Conway is subject to a Fine Gael disciplinary process following his arrest in January for being 'intoxicated' on O'Connell St in Dublin. In Helsinki last week he addressed the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)'s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) advisory panel on the political participation of persons with disabilities. The OSCE described the annual event as a 'chance to expand research, network with colleagues, and disseminate knowledge about the political participation of people with disabilities'. Mr Conway, who is visually impaired, was first appointed to the panel in 2021. More work needs to be done for inclusion & leadership of #PersonsWithDisabilities A great honor to provide opening remarks with Chair Martin Conway & @osce_odihr at the Advisory Panel meeting, in the spirit of #Helsinki+50 conference @IrishEmbFinland @Ulkoministerio @OSCE25FI — Katja Pehrman (@PehrmanKatja) July 30, 2025 In a post on social media platform X, Katja Pehrman, Finland's ambassador for human rights, shared a picture of herself and Mr Conway at the event. 'More work needs to be done for inclusion and leadership of Persons With Disabilities,' she said. 'A great honor [sic] to provide opening remarks with Chair Martin Conway.' She tagged the Irish Embassy in Finland in her post. A Department of Foreign Affairs spokesperson said Mr Conway was not representing Ireland at the event. 'Members of the ODIHR Advisory Panel on the Political Participation of Persons with Disabilities serve in their personal capacities as experts and do not represent any organisation or participating State,' they said. As such, this Department has no role in sanctioning participation or travel of members of the Advisory Panel. A spokesperson for Fine Gael stated that Mr Conway is 'no longer a member of the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party'. When asked about the ongoing disciplinary procedure, they referred to a previous statement from February confirming it had commenced. The Oireachtas did not pay for the trip. Senator Conway arrested in January Mr Conway was arrested on O'Connell St in Dublin in the early hours of January 22 'for being in an intoxicated state due to consumption of sleeping tablets and alcohol'. He was released without charge. He resigned from the Fine Gael parliamentary party just days after he was reappointed to the Seanad administrative panel for a fourth term. He was further accused of alleged inappropriate behaviour towards a female Oireachtas staff member working for Fine Gael. Mr Conway returned to Leinster House in early July. Sinn Féin TD Louise O'Reilly has repeatedly called for Fine Gael to address the scandal, amid reports that a €10,000 donation was made following alleged inappropriate behaviour. She told the Irish Examiner that the party and Mr Conway should be able to comment further now he is back at work. Ms O'Reilly said: There are questions for Fine Gael to answer in this regard and lots of questions left unanswered. 'He is still listed on the Oireachtas website as a Fine Gael member, so they will need to answer for him as a member. "I would definitely have concerns. I would definitely want to hear from him. 'Fine Gael really needs to settle all of these questions, given that the man is now back in work.' Mr Conway did not respond to phone calls or text messages.
The Irish Sun
5 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Feared warlord's mob ‘behind Irish aid worker kidnap' as 8 & tot, 3, still missing and latest gang talks details emerge
In a statement, the Tanaiste said he asked Haiti's Foreign Minister Harvel Jean-Baptiste 'that everything is done to ensure the release of Gena and the other hostages' ASSOCIATES of notorious Haitian gang boss Jimmy 'Barbecue' Cherizier are believed to be behind the kidnapping of Irish aid worker Gena Heraty and eight others from an orphanage, it has emerged. The warlord, a former police officer, controls the Viv Ansanm gang, a group formed in September 2023 as a coalition of gangs between the two main factions operating in Haiti's capital Port-au-Prince, G-9 and G-Pep. Advertisement 5 Gena Heraty was kidnapped in Haiti Credit: Social Media Collect 5 Haitian gang boss Jimmy 'Barbecue' Cherizier's mob is believed to be behind the plot Credit:5 Simon Harris said he has been keeping in close contact with Haiti's Foreign Minister Credit: Brian Lawless/PA Wire The group, based in the Kenscoff area of the city, provides a platform for criminal groups to use violence to destabilise the Caribbean country and quash actions aimed at restoring state control. Viv Ansanm has launched coordinated attacks on critical infrastructure in Haiti, including prisons, government buildings, and the main airport in Port-au-Prince as part of a campaign that, among other things, forced the resignation of former Haitian prime minister Ariel Henry last year. Thousands of people have lost their lives in gang violence in the troubled country in recent years, which shares with the island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic. Tanaiste Simon Harris said he has been keeping in close contact with Haiti's Foreign Minister Harvel Jean-Baptiste in a bid to secure Gena's and the others captives' release. Advertisement RTE News reported that contact has been made with the gang involved in the kidnapping, with phone calls between the mobsters and intermediaries on the ground in Haiti. However, a lack of functioning government in the country has made communication difficult. The kidnapped group, which included a three-year-old child, were snatched during a violent raid on the Sainte-Helene orphanage in Kenscoff on Sunday. Gena, originally from Westport in Co Mayo, who is in her mid-50s, oversees the facility, which is about 10km southeast of the capital Port-au-Prince. Advertisement She is one of a family of 11, most of whom are living in Mayo. They have expressed their gratitude for all the prayers and support but do not wish to speak to the media at this time, while negotiations are ongoing. 'VERY DIFFICULT AND STRESSFUL TIME' In a statement, her sister Mary said the family had been assured by the Government and various voluntary organisations and charities that they are doing everything in their power to have her and the other captives released. Father John Kenny, the administrator of Westport parish, said Gena's family are 'very appreciative' of the support they have received since she was abducted from the orphanage. Advertisement He described it is 'very difficult and stressful time for everyone' He said: 'Well, we were shocked first of all to hear the news, and we kind of suspected it might be Gena because she has such a high profile in our community. FAMILY 'ON TENTERHOOKS' 'We do a lot of fundraising for her charity in her home parish, Cushlough and here in Westport, for the orphanage in Haiti. Everyone is expressing their concern and solidarity with the members of her family, who are very upset and naturally on tenterhooks.' He said he met her when she was home last autumn and visiting local schools. Advertisement Fr Kenny added: 'She met the young people there, the children who were fundraising for her cause. And you could see her beaming with energy and enthusiasm about the work she does, as opposed to looking for credit, just looking to help out the people in need in Haiti.' Communities around Westport and Ahagower have been holding prayer vigils for the safe return of Ms Heraty and those abducted along with her from an orphanage in Haiti. WHO IS WARLORD BEHIND KIDNAPPING? Photo byJIMMY 'Barbecue' Cherizier is considered the most powerful warlord in Haiti and is currently believed to be one of the country's most powerful political figures. In early March 2024, his gang staged the largest jailbreak in Haitian history and escalated attacks across the country, including an attempted siege of the Toussaint Louverture International Airport. Cherizier claimed responsibility for the attacks and stated that the goal was to capture key government institutions, overthrow the unelected acting prime minister Ariel Henry and become more powerful in Haiti, warning that 'if Ariel Henry doesn't step down and the international community continues to support him, they will lead us directly to a civil war which will end in genocide.' Henry announced resigned within weeks of Cherizier's threat. Haiti has lacked a fully functioning Government since then and the criminal gangs have continued to run riot. Gang violence and kidnappings are also common in other areas in and around Port-au-Prince, where the UN says armed groups control about 85 per cent of the city. In the first half of 2025, UN figures show that almost 350 people were kidnapped in Haiti. At least 3,141 people were also killed in the same period, the UN Human Rights Office said. NPH International, a charity that works with for orphaned, abandoned, and vulnerable children in Latin America and the Caribbean, also called for the release of the hostages and said it was doing all it could can to help bring them home safely. Fr Kenny said supporters also had an opportunity to console Ms Heraty's family at a prayer service in Westport. He added: 'They were there in great solidarity and great numbers... cars were everywhere, and people were gathered and quietly prayed and met with the family afterwards. Advertisement 'The family are very appreciative of the support and very conscious that people are praying in support of them.' Fr Kenny said Gena is 'not one for the spotlight' but loves talking about her work and has always been greatly supported by the local community when raising funds for the orphanage. 'GREAT HUMAN BEING' He added: 'You could see her beaming with enthusiasm and energy around what she does, but like I said, never looking for the credit to herself but always drawing attention to herself. 'That's just the nature of the person she is. A wonderful, generous, caring and compassionate person - a great human being.' Advertisement Ms Heraty is a member of Viatores Christi, a lay missionary group which has its headquarters in Dublin. In a statement, they said she has dedicated her life 'to children and adults with disabilities through her leadership of NPFS's special needs programme'. 'PLANNED ACT' The organisation praised her 'commitment, compassion and steady presence', saying she has 'made a lasting difference to many families in the region'. 'We are thinking of Gena, her family and colleagues, and the adults and children in her care,' the statement added. Advertisement Attackers broke into the orphanage at about 3.30am (7.30am Irish time) 'without opening fire,' according to Kenscoff Mayor Massillon Jean, describing it as a 'planned act'. The attackers had broken through a wall to enter the property, before heading to the building where Ms Heraty was staying. DIPLOMATS' EFFORTS Diplomats stationed in Dublin; Washington DC and London are leading the efforts to secure the release of the hostages. Norma Lopez, a friend and colleague of Ms Heraty, said she is calling for her safe return, so she can continue 'her good work in Haiti'. Advertisement 'Specifically people with special needs, this is her focus because it is a big need in Haiti. 'Working with her she is always thinking, 'what else can we do?'' she said. 'MOST HORRENDOUS OF ORDEALS' Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Harris held talks with his Haitian counterpart about the abduction of Ms Heraty. In a statement, the Tanaiste said he asked Haiti's Foreign Minister Harvel Jean-Baptiste 'that everything is done to ensure the release of Gena and the other hostages'. Advertisement Mr Harris said Mr Jean-Baptiste had 'assured me of his support in our work to ensure the safe release of Gena, and all the hostages, who have gone through the most horrendous of ordeals'. 'We have agreed to stay in touch about the case, which remains extremely sensitive. 'My officials in the Department of Foreign of Affairs and Trade are in constant contact with the Heraty family. When we have further updates, we will provide them.' 5 Thousands of people have lost their lives in gang violence in the troubled country Credit: EPA/PATRICE NOEL Advertisement
