Late Late Show to host Tánaiste Simon Harris, Lottie Ryan and Boyzlife
Just after the 15th anniversary of the death of her father, Gerry Ryan, 2fm presenter Lottie Ryan will join host Patrick Kielty to reflect on the groundbreaking radio host's life and legacy.
Boyband stars Keith Duffy and Brian McFadden - also known as Boyzlife - will drop in to chat.
Following the release of the docuseries Boyzone: No Matter What, they will reflect on life in two of the world's biggest boybands, Boyzone and Westlife.
And as the Grand Ole Opry country music event in Nashville, Tennessee marks its 100th anniversary, the Late Late Show will pay tribute to the institution with a special performance from three of Ireland's brightest young country stars - Claudia Buckley, David James and Gerry Guthrie.
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RTÉ News
5 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Kelly will 'most likely reconsider' position on presidential candidacy
MEP Seán Kelly has said he will "most likely reconsider" his possible candidacy in the presidential campaign "in light of Mairead [McGuiness'] unfortunate withdrawal". It comes after former Fine Gael MEP Frances Fitzgerald ruled herself out of running for the party in the Presidential Election. The former justice minister said her mind had not changed in the wake of Mairead McGuinness' withdrawal. She said her decision remains as it was last year. "I made the decision not to contest then, and I won't be seeking a nomination." This afternoon Independent TD Michael Healy-Rae said he would back Fine Gael's Heather Humphreys "wholeheartedly" in the presidential election. He said Ms Humphreys would be an "excellent candidate", after Ms McGuinness' shock withdrawal. Mr Healy-Rae said he would be "100% in her favour" and called Ms Humphreys a "highly capable lady". He said he believed Ms Humphreys would galvanise others outside her party and would appeal to a wider base than Fine Gael. He said there are "people up and down the country, from all parties and none" that would support Ms Humphreys. He said her "performance over the years", her policies, the "way she carried herself" and the "way she answered questions" would all work in her favour. Ms Humphreys is seen as someone who would benefit from support from outside the party. She retired from politics last year saying she wanted to spend time with her family, but it is understood the former Minister is considering her options. The former Cavan-Monaghan TD has been contacted for comment. Senior Fine Gael figures say they expect that another candidate will be nominated by the party to run in the election. Ms McGuinness said she was stepping aside due to health concerns. The Fine Gael Executive Council will meet in the next few days to discuss their plans. There is a feeling, however, that the party will nominate another person to run. One former minister said they believed Fine Gael should definitely nominate another candidate, while another said it was "likely, but not certain". Names previously associated with the job also include Seán Kelly MEP. Independent TD and presidential hopeful Catherine Connolly has said the statement from Mairead McGuinness was shocking and wished her all the best. Ms Connolly said she deliberately declared early and does not regret the decision, noting it allows for scrutiny. Tánaiste Simon Harris said yesterday that there is a great sense of shock in Fine Gael following Ms McGuinness' decision to withdraw from the presidential race on health grounds. In a statement released yesterday afternoon, Ms McGuinness said the decision was not taken lightly, and followed a stay in hospital last week. Mr Harris said Ms McGuinness is a "great colleague" and a "great friend" and is somebody who has served her party and her country with distinction. He said while Ms McGuinness had been working hard in preparation for the presidential election, her health has to come first. "It's absolutely crystal clear that on the basis of health advice, she is making the right decision," Mr Harris said. Ms McGuinness said she is taking the decision on medical advice, and it is the "right decision" for her and her family. "My priority now is my health. Given that the election is in a short couple of months, I do not believe that I have the strength to give the campaign my all," she said in a statement yesterday. Mr Harris said Fine Gael will convene its executive council in the days ahead and consider the next steps on any potential presidential candidate. In a statement yesterday, Fine Gael's Director of Elections for the upcoming presidential election Martin Heydon confirmed the meeting will take place in the coming days. Catherine Connolly also said that it was very early to be talking about her current favourable position. But she said the feedback on the ground was excellent and that she will be on the campaign now every week going forward. Fianna Fáil has yet to decide whether it will run a candidate while Sinn Féin is considering its options with a decision to be arrived at in a few weeks. Yesterday, businessman Gareth Sheridan launched his campaign for the Áras, and said he is confident he can be proposed and seconded by six local authorities after having secured the support of Tipperary and Laois county councils.
Irish Examiner
5 hours 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
6 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Mairead McGuiness' withdrawal leaves only one clear candidate for presidential election
The withdrawal of Mairead McGuinness from the presidential election leaves what had been an unclear picture even foggier. With just ten or eleven weeks to go, there is just one candidate left in the race who has the requisite support from the Oireachtas to be on the ballot. No councils have, as yet, shown a willingness to back candidates. Catherine Connolly has secured the backing of Labour, the Social Democrats, People Before Profit, and a range of other independent politicians and at her campaign launch late last month said that she is 'ready' to be president of Ireland as 'part of a movement'. It is unlikely that Ms Connolly will be alone in the field for long as Fine Gael gets set to convene its Executive Committee. Fine Gael In the wake of Ms McGuinness's withdrawal, speculation focused on a quartet of names; former ministers Heather Humphreys, Frances Fitzgerald, and Simon Coveney, and sitting MEP Sean Kelly. While her former ministerial colleagues have kept their counsel, the former justice minister ruled herself out. On Friday afternoon, Ms Fitzgerald confirmed to the Irish Examiner that she would not seek the nomination, having declined to do so earlier this year. She had said in April that she discussed the possibility with Fine Gael leader Simon Harris and had been approached by 'many people', but would not be entering the race. She has since joined the consultancy firm Teneo. Mr Coveney joined EY as a consultant in April, but has been suggested by some in Fine Gael as a potential candidate. Mr Coveney previously served as a minister in a number of briefs — including foreign affairs, agriculture, and enterprise. However, he called time on a political career that spanned four decades after opting not to contest last year's election. Ireland South MEP Mr Kelly, who was elected with a massive 127,000 votes last June, opted not to contest the Fine Gael nomination race, leaving the way clear for former European commissioner Ms McGuinness. However, he is believed to be reconsidering his position in light of Ms McGuinness's withdrawal and sources believe he will run for the party's nomination, having been interested earlier this summer. Former minister Heather Humphreys has emerged as the favourite within the party. Picture: Gareth Chaney Ms Humphreys, the former social protection minister, has emerged as the favourite within the party, though some have questioned whether she would change her mind given her reasons for leaving politics. Ms Humphreys opted not to contest the last election, having been elected in 2011 and serving as a minister in a number of departments. She was seen within Fine Gael as someone who might contend this year's election, but speaking to the Joe Finnegan Show on Northern Sound in May, Ms Humphreys said that while she had given the idea some thought, she was committed to spending more time with her family. Fianna Fáil Within Fianna Fáil, some members of the parliamentary party believe that their candidate will not emerge until the middle of September, with Taoiseach Micheál Martin recently unequivocally ruling himself out. The party's issue is that it does not have an obvious candidate. Former taoiseach Bertie Ahern has long been linked with a run, but has appeared cool on the idea at times. Former minister Mary Hanafin was vocal last month that the party should run a candidate before writing to members asking that she be put forward. That idea was rejected by many TDs. University of Ulster professor Deirdre Heenan has been reported as being in talks with the party, while former footballer Niall Quinn is another name that has been suggested. Sinn Féin Party president Mary Lou McDonald kicked off huge speculation by not ruling out a bid for the Áras in July, but it is expected that a final decision from the party will be made in the next two weeks. Some believe using Ms McDonald as a presidential candidate would be "a waste", while others believe the party should row in behind Ms Connolly as a show of left-wing solidarity. Independents Last week, pharma entrepreneur Gareth Sheridan announced he was entering the race. Largely unknown, the 35-year-old has said that he has enough support to have his nomination brought to at least four councils. Another businessman, Nick Delehanty, also 35, ran in local and general elections in Dublin under the tagline 'make crime illegal' and has said he is seeking the nomination. He told the Irish Examiner he has the same number. Former MMA fighter Conor McGregor last week set up a petition seeking people to express their wish for him to be on the ballot paper. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA Lord of the Dance star Michael Flatley last month told a court that he 'intends to seek nominations to run for President", but said this week that he will make his intentions clearer soon. Former MMA fighter Conor McGregor last week set up a petition seeking people to express their wish for him to be on the ballot paper. The Sunday Times reported that Mr McGregor is considered a legal challenge to the eligibility rules, though it is not clear upon which grounds the challenge would be based.
