Heather Humphreys likely to be second confirmed candidate to enter Áras race
Independent TD Noel Grealish has said he believes the former social protection minister would make an excellent president if she were to put her name forward.
The Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture said Ms Humphreys is vastly experienced and well regarded by TDs across parties.
He said: "Heather was a vastly experienced Minister at cabinet, having served in a number of different portfolios and representing the interests of all Irish people. 'She was very well regarded by TDs across all political parties and she would appeal to a broad base of voters,' said Minister Grealish.
'Heather has an in-depth knowledge of the Constitution and the role of President and she would represent our country with distinction both at home and abroad if she were to be elected as President of Ireland.'
So far independent TD Catherine Connolly is the only confirmed candidate after formally launching her bid to become Ireland's next president last month.
During the week former justice minister Frances Fitzgerald ruled herself out of the presidential race shortly after Mairead McGuinness' departure from the election contest on health grounds.
Senior Fine Gael party members will meet over the coming days to consider its next steps and it is likely Ms Humphreys will be urged to become a candidate.
The former Cavan-Monaghan TD had been linked with a presidential bid before, and while she said she was flattered to be considered before withdrawing her name.
Former GAA chief and MEP Seán Kelly is another possible Fine Gael candidate after saying he will "most likely reconsider" his possible candidacy in the presidential campaign in light of Mairead McGuinness' withdrawal.
Meanwhile presidential hopeful Gareth Sheridan, who claims he has the backing of two local councils, has criticised what he claimed are Catherine Connolly's 'aggressive nationalism' and her attack on Ireland's allies.
He said: Catherine Connolly is wrong to engage in a form of aggressive Nationalism and worse, attacking our long-established allies.
'I fear this is evidence of her Anti-EU politics. Ms Connolly is hoping to be our next President and her claim that Ireland can't trust the United States, the United Kingdom and France is an ill-judged over-step.
'We will have a new President in less than thirteen weeks and here is Deputy Connolly, a Party candidate endorsed by the Social Democrats and People Before Profit, on the weekend of a US – Russian Summit to achieve peace in Ukraine, expressing what could be interpreted as a pro-Putin stance.
'Ukraine President Zelensky is on record numerous times thanking the EU, USA and UK for their financial and military aid to defend his country against the Russian invasion.
'For myself, as a non-party, a-political candidate not beholden to any ideology, seeking a nomination under Article 12.2.2. of our Constitution, I am calling for an immediate end to invasions of Ukraine and Gaza.
Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Journal
38 minutes ago
- The Journal
Tony Holohan 'will not seek' Áras nomination to avoid 'exposing family to criticism or abuse'
TONY HOLOHAN HAS said he will not seek nominations to run for the presidency. The former chief medical officer said that, after being approached by a number of people asking him to put his name forward, he will not be throwing his hat in the ring. In a statement, Holohan said that while he is able for the 'tough nature' of modern politics, his family isn't. Advertisement 'While a number of different factors have influenced my decision, my overriding consideration has been my wish to protect my family from the kind of personal abuse which is becoming increasingly normalised in Irish politics generally and in presidential elections in particular,' he said. 'I understand the very tough nature of modern politics and while I am more than capable of defending my reputation and the decisions which I have taken, over a long career during challenging times in public service my family is not. 'I cannot now expose them to further distress, criticism or abuse at a time when we are all still rebuilding our lives.' He said he hoped that the upcoming campaigns will involve 'civilised and respectful debate and reflection'. 'We have been well served by the holders of this high office to date, and I wish the next President – whoever he or she may be – every success in the role. They will have my full support,' he concluded. Related Reads Heather Humphreys confirms she is 'seriously considering' seeking Fine Gael nomination for president Presidential campaigning ramping up as potential candidates take stock after McGuinness withdrawal Millionaire Áras hopeful launches presidential campaign in the Shelbourne - here's what he said Meanwhile, Fine Gael TD Heather Humphreys has confirmed that she is considering running to be the party's nominee in the presidential election. The decision comes in the wake of Mairéad McGuinness, Fine Gael's first choice for the nominee, withdrawing from the race for health reasons after spending time in hospital. The party's executive team will meet tonight to map out its next moves. 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
Agriland
41 minutes ago
- Agriland
China extends investigation into EU dairy sector 'subsidies'
Authorities in China have said that the period of its investigation into so-called 'subsidies' paid to the EU dairy sector will be extended. This time last year, China's Ministry of Commerce announced that an investigation had been launched into subsidies paid to European dairy farmers, with one Irish farm scheme specifically cited by the country's authorities. Now today (Monday, August 18), the country's commerce ministry has confirmed the "investigation period" of the case will be extended until next year. A statement from the ministry (translated to English) said: "In view of the complexity of this Ministry of Commerce has decided to extend the investigation period of this case to February 21." No other details were provided by the ministry in its short statement. When first announcing the investigation last year, the ministry had said that the period of subsidy payments under investigation would be from April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024, and the "industry injury" investigation period is a four-year timeframe from January 1, 2020 to March 31, 2024. The basis for the investigation is that certain subsidised EU dairy products allegedly impact on China's domestic dairy industry. Representatives of the Chinese dairy industry claimed that certain EU dairy products received subsidies from the EU and its member governments, and that the EU dairy industry "may benefit from a total of 20 subsidy projects". The products under investigation include fresh cheese, processed cheese, blue cheese, milk, and cream, that are used for food consumption directly or after processing. Among the 20 EU subsidy schemes cited in the investigation is an Irish scheme which is referred to on translated versions of the ministry's statements as the "Dairy Equipment Subsidy Scheme". This likely refers to the Dairy Equipment Scheme under the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS). This investigation is seen as part of long-standing trade tensions between the EU and China. The announcement of China's investigation into the EU's dairy industry followed on from an earlier announcement from the European Commission to impose countervailing duties on imports of electric vehicle batteries from China. In September last year, the European Commission formally challenged the Chinese investigation by taking the issue to the World Trade Organisation (WTO). The commission said its decision to go to the WTO was prompted by "an emerging pattern of China initiating trade defence measures, based on questionable allegations and insufficient evidence, within a short period of time".
RTÉ News
an hour ago
- RTÉ News
Holohan rules out Áras run over fears of 'personal abuse'
Former Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan has said he will not contest this year's presidential election over fears of his family being subjected to "personal abuse" which he said is becoming "increasingly normalised". Dr Holohan said he had received a number of approaches from people across the country encouraging him to put his name forward as a candidate in the upcoming election. "However, after a lot of careful consideration and reflection I have decided not to seek a nomination to contest the election," he said in a statement, adding that he had discussed it at length with friends, colleagues, previous candidates and those with "much more political experience than I have". "But the most important conversations I have had have been my family; my wife and my children in particular," the 58-year-old added. He said his overriding consideration has been his wish to protect his family "from the kind of personal abuse which is becoming increasingly normalised in Irish politics generally and in presidential elections in particular". "I understand the very tough nature of modern politics and while I am more than capable of defending my reputation and the decisions which I have taken, over a long career during challenging times in public service my family is not," he said. "I cannot now expose them to further distress, criticism or abuse at a time when we are all still rebuilding our lives." He stressed that presidential elections are vitally important events in the civic life of the country. "I earnestly hope that the coming campaign is marked by civilized and respectful debate and reflection as we all try to imagine and agree on the values and qualities we wish to see in our next President," he said. Dr Holohan's decision comes as former MEP Mairead McGuinness, who was tipped to be the favourite to replace Michael D Hiiggins in Áras an Uachtaráin, withdrew from the presidential race on health grounds. MEP Seán Kelly has said he will "most likely reconsider" his possible candidacy in the campaign following her withdrawal. Independent TD for Galway West Catherine Connolly launched her presidential bid at a press conference outside Leinster House earlier this month. While Gareth Sheridan, the businessman bidding to be Ireland's youngest ever President at 35, officially launched his campaign on Thursday. Fine Gael's national executive council is due to meet tonight to discuss its next steps following Ms McGuinness' withdrawal. There has been speculation that Heather Humphreys could reconsider and put her name forward, with a number of independent politicians, including Michael-Healy Rae, Seán Canney and Noel Grealish highlighting her appeal to the public. Frances Fitzgerald has said her decision remains the same as previously, and she won't seek the nomination.
