Irish Presidential Election: Heather Humphreys and Sean Kelly to enter race
Fine Gael MEP Sean Kelly has also declared he will seek the party's nomination to be the candidate for the Irish Presidency.Kelly, one of Fine Gael's members of the European Parliament (MEP), said he had taken the decision after consideration with his family and supporters.
The party's original candidate, Mairead McGuinness, said last week that she would not run any more due to health issues.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland programme, Kelly said his original decision to decide not to run was "the hardest decision" he ever made.Now that it [nominations] is open again, I am delighted and enthusiastic about the prospect of running for president, reflecting what many people have said to me," he said.Humphreys said she had decided to "go for it" after being contacted by people within politics and by those "with no political affiliation at all".Speaking to Cavan and Monaghan local radio station Northern Sound, Ms Humphreys, who stood down as an elected politician at the last general election in the Republic of Ireland - said she had "plenty in the tank" and that the timing was right, despite ruling herself out of the contest earlier this year."I have thought long and hard about this… I have decided to go for it and I will be seeking the Fine Gael nomination," she said."I want to deepen relations between the people of this island north and south."
Nominations for the party's presidential candidate reopen at midday and will close at midday on 2 September.The decision came following a meeting of the Fine Gael Executive Council last night.Tánaiste Simon Harris said the decision to reopen nominations will enable the party to have a candidate in place by mid-September.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
20 minutes ago
- The Independent
Antrim and Newtownabbey Council probes hotel being used for asylum seekers
A local council in Northern Ireland has started a probe into a hotel being used to house asylum seekers. Antrim and Newtownabbey Council confirmed that an enforcement investigation has commenced. It is understood it is into the legal planning status of the hotel in Co Antrim being used to house asylum seekers. A council spokesperson said they have no further comment to make at this time. It comes after Epping Forest District Council was granted a temporary injunction by the High Court on Tuesday which blocks asylum seekers from being housed at the Bell Hotel in the Essex town. Current residents are to be removed by September 12. DUP South Antrim MLA Trevor Clarke welcomed the move by Antrim and Newtownabbey Council concerning the Chimney Corner Hotel. Mr Clarke said he had written to the head of planning enforcement at the council querying whether any change of use had been sought for the hotel. 'The High Court decision makes it clear that housing asylum seekers in hotels without first securing a 'change of use' through the proper planning process (from hotel to hostel or immigration centre accommodation) constitutes a breach of planning regulations,' he said. 'No-one is above the law, not even Government departments. 'If the Home Office or its contractors wish to place large numbers of illegal immigrants into our communities, they must follow the same planning rules as everyone else.' Mr Clarke said DUP councillors in other areas of Northern Ireland where hotels are being used to house asylum seekers are pressing for similar enforcement investigations. 'This issue isn't just about the specifics of the need for proper planning approval,' he added. 'It highlights the lack of proper oversight and control in terms of the entire UK immigration system. 'The fact these hotels do not have the proper planning approval to house asylum seekers is merely a symptom of the overall problem.' Patrick Corrigan, Northern Ireland director of Amnesty International, said people must be treated with dignity. 'Amnesty International has long raised concerns that hotels are wholly unsuitable for housing people seeking asylum,' he said. 'This judgment must not lead to even further disruption and insecurity for the refugees themselves. 'Proper investment by Government in planning and providing for appropriate accommodation is urgently needed. 'At the same time, that department must reset its asylum system to provide people with decisions on their asylum claims fairly and efficiently – so people are not stuck in limbo and can get on with their lives. ' People must be treated with dignity, just as we would expect if it was our families who were forced to flee war or persecution.'
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
As St George's Cross protests grow, what are the rules on flying flags?
F lags. Troublesome, tribal things that can be used as an assertive statement of ideological, religious, national or ethnic supremacy. We see that in Northern Ireland with nationalists and loyalists commandeering lamp posts as flag poles and painting the kerbstones green-white-and-orange or red-white-and-blue, with matching folk murals glorifying martyrs and battles. It's something that seems to be spreading to parts of England, too. But a flag can also be an innocent, joyous emanation of a shared identity and values – as when the Lionesses did England proud. Vexillology can be a highly vexing matter, as we witnessed when the royal family insisted on protocol after the death of Diana, Prince of Wales and having the royal standard flown at full rather than half mast, later giving in to public pressure. In fact, there are official guidelines to help us navigate this newly popular method of free expression… What does the government say? The official guidance is issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and dates back to when Boris Johnson was premier and started making ministers put flags in the background of every public appearance and on any and every public building. It was only a partial attempt to boost confidence in the dismal post-Brexit life of the nation. Anyway, Angela Rayner is in charge of flags now, and so the guidance should probably be read in an Angela Rayner accent: 'Flags are a very British way of expressing joy and pride – they are emotive symbols which can boost local and national identities, strengthen community cohesion and mark civic pride. The government wants to see more flags flown, particularly the union flag, the flag of the United Kingdom. It is a symbol of national unity and pride.' Great. What can we fly? Almost anything in principle, within the rules, but probably not the terrorist stuff, not even in private, given that it would be likely taken as promoting violence. The list of flags that do not require consent (proving they don't contravene other rules or laws) include: any country's national flag; the Commonwealth, UN or other international body of which the UK is a member; any British island, county, city, village, or borough; the Scottish and Irish saltires; armed forces flags; the flag of St George (England – but not additionally adorned with eg a bulldog, Nigel Farage, St George himself or the name of a football team). Curiously, the evocative and lovely Welsh Dragon flag isn't specifically covered in the guidance, but we may assume it's OK. On that basis, then, when, as planned, Palestine is officially recognised as a sovereign state by the United Kingdom, the now familiar design can be waved around with the full backing of the government. On the other hand, the European Union's starry flag now technically requires consent, as does the 'Ulster banner', the old Northern Ireland flag featuring the red hand emblem, much favoured by some unionists and loyalists but no longer formally recognised (if it ever was). What about the rainbow flag? It's one of a number that also don't require consent but need to conform to a few rules on the size of flagpoles and their position. Corporate and sports flags and the NHS logo fall into this category. The 'progress' flag, a more 'inclusive' adaptation of the rainbow flag and the trans flag aren't mentioned. What can't we fly? 'Any flag not identified above requires express consent from the local planning authority before it can be flown.' So that includes the EU and Wales, and party political ones among others – but not Palestine. Can I have a flagpole? You can have two on on the roof of your house if you want, or in the grounds, provided one is from the list that don't require permission: 'No restrictions on the size of any character or symbol displayed on the flag, except where a flag is flown within an area of outstanding natural beauty, area of special control, the Broads, conservation area or a National Park (referred to elsewhere as 'controlled areas') where the characters may be no more than 0.75m in height (0.3m in height in an area of special control).' Elsewhere, eg on the outside wall, requires permissions. You are referred to the regulations governing the flying of flags set out in the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations 2007 (as amended in 2012 and in 2021).
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Hopes that ICRIR can deliver truth and accountability around the Shankill bomb
Hope has been expressed that the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) can deliver truth and accountability around the Shankill bomb. Two men bereaved in the Provisional IRA bomb attack in 1993, and the son of a ambulance worker also murdered by the PIRA, have requested the new body take on their cases. The ICRIR was created by the previous government's controversial Legacy Act and is headed by former Northern Ireland Lord Chief Justice Sir Declan Morgan. Bereaved families, victims and certain public authorities can request the commission carry out an investigation into Troubles incidents. However, some have questioned the body's independence and its ability to uncover answers about Troubles crimes. In a statement issued through JWB Consultancy, Charlie Butler, who lost three members of his family in the Shankill Road bomb, and Gary Murray, whose 13-year-old sister Leanne was killed in it, said they want to know the full truth. One of the bombers, Thomas Begley, was killed by the blast, while Sean Kelly was convicted of murder following the bomb attack on a fish shop in the Shankill Road in 1993. JWB Consultancy said they have formally requested an ICRIR investigation into the atrocity, and hope to bring others involved to justice, including those who made the bomb, transported it and those who planned the attack. Mr Butler said others involved have escaped accountability. 'We have taken this step to continue the fight for justice for our loved ones,' he said. 'There has never been full criminal or public accountability brought to bear on many of those responsible for and who played a role in the Shankill bombing. 'We have inquiries and investigations galore into killings by loyalists or the security forces, but no such resources poured into holding PIRA accountable for their terrorist campaign. 'I hope the ICRIR will correct that imbalance and injustice. Time for truth.' Mr Murray said their fight for justice continues. 'The criminal liability for the Shankill bomb does not begin and end with the terrorist bombers, but rather every IRA member who played any role, whether active or supporting, in the plot to indiscriminately bomb the Shankill Road,' he said. 'We trust the ICRIR will conduct a robust and detailed investigation to finally hold all those involved accountable, and to provide us with the 'truth' we so often see nationalist/republican legacy groups, supported by Sinn Fein and former IRA terrorists, hold placards demanding. 'We want the truth about this PIRA atrocity.' Meanwhile, Paul Shields, the son of murdered ambulance worker and former RUC reservist Robin Shields, said his father was serving the community when two IRA gunman entered Broadway ambulance station and killed him. He said the family funeral was then disrupted by multiple IRA bomb alerts, which he said were 'designed to heap further grief upon the family and to frustrate the funeral service'. 'The murder of my father, in the prime of his life, robbed us of our family and him of the opportunity to see his children and grandchildren live their lives,' he said. 'The community also lost a courageous and dedicated servant, given that our father gave much of his life to public service both as an RUC reservist and ambulance worker. 'In death, PIRA still would not let our father rest, embarking on a series of bomb alerts designed to disrupt his funeral. 'We see and hear the catchphrase often from PIRA and their surrogates: 'Time for truth'. Yes, it is, and we as a family want the truth about the PIRA murder of our father, and all those involved to be held criminally liable.' A spokesperson for the ICRIR said: 'The commission is committed to serving victims, families and survivors. 'We respect people's choices about whether they come to the commission and our door will always remain open to all. 'We will continue to work to give answers to the over 200 individuals from across the community who have to come to us in their quest for truth and justice.'
