Latest news with #ArdFheis
The Journal
3 days ago
- Health
- The Journal
Fine Gael's Mairead McGuinness pulls out of presidential race following medical advice
LAST UPDATE | 35 mins ago MAIREAD MCGUINNESS HAS withdrawn from the race for the Irish presidency. Citing medical advice, the former Fine Gael MEP made the bombshell announcement this afternoon that she would no longer be contesting the election for the Áras. McGuinness, who was previously a vice-president of the European Parliament, had been hotly tipped for the role to succeed Michael D Higgins in the vote later this year. McGuinness said it was an 'extremely difficult' call but was adamant that it's the 'right decision' for her and her family. 'I have made the very difficult decision to withdraw my name as the Fine Gael nominee for the Presidential election,' McGuinness said in the surprise statement this afternoon. 'This decision is not lightly taken and follows a stay in hospital last week,' McGuinness revealed. Tánaiste and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris paid paid tribute to McGuinness for her 'incredible contribution' to public life and said her pulling out of the race was an 'awful shock' to party members. Mairead McGuinness has made an incredible contribution to public life in Ireland and in Europe. It was our clear view in @FineGael and the view of many people across Ireland that Mairead would make an excellent President of Ireland. Mairead's health will not now allow this. — Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) August 14, 2025 McGuinness said she had discussed the decision with Tánaiste and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris, and thanked him for his 'support and understanding' on the withdrawal. It likely brings an end to a career that has spanned media, farming and politics, with McGuinness spending 20 years in Brussels as part of the EU political scene. In her statement, she outlined that she does 'not believe that I have the strength to give the campaign my all' if she were to stand. 'My priority now is my health,' McGuinness said. 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. McGuinness, who is 66, added: 'I appreciate that this will come as a shock and disappointment to party members and colleagues in Fine Gael, but our political family is strong. 'I also want to thank all of those people who have done so much to support me, now and in the past.' Advertisement Mairead McGuinness speaking at the Fine Gael Ard Fheis in 2009. In a statement released by Harris, he said that it was 'our clear view in Fine Gael and the view of many people across Ireland that Mairead would make an excellent President of Ireland', were she to be in a position to contest the election. 'Mairead's health will not now allow this,' the party leader said. 'This has come as an awful shock to us all. Mairead is a valued member of our Fine Gael family. It is absolutely essential that she now prioritises her health and I know I speak for everyone when I wish her all the very best on that journey.' Harris added that Fine Gael's executive council will convene in the coming days to 'consider further the Presidential election' for the party. Fine Gael Director of Elections Martin Heydon said this meeting of the executive council would discuss the 'next steps' around whether it would stand a candidate in place of McGuinness. 'The Fine Gael Executive Council will meet in the coming days to discuss the next steps, but for now, I, along with Mairead's many friends and colleagues within the party send their very best wishes to her and her family,' Heydon said. Independent TD Catherine Connolly, who launched her bid for the Áras last month, said McGuinness's decision 'has come as a shock to all of us'. 'Without a doubt this decision could not have been an easy one for her to make,' Connolly said in a statement. 'I would like to extend my best wishes to to Mairead and her family at this time, and all the best for the future.' From RTÉ to Brussels Before entering politics, McGuinness was best known for her role presenting RTÉ's Ear to the Ground TV programme. The Drogheda native also did stints with the Irish Farmers Journal and as editor of the Irish Independent's Farming Independent supplement. She saw her first major success in politics at the 2004 European Parliament elections. With her background in television and farming media, she was able to scoop 25% of votes cast in the old East constituency, which covered Leinster outside of Dublin. In 2009, she was re-elected and later served as an MEP for the Midlands–North-West constituency. From 2014, McGuinness began moving into senior European roles, first serving as a vice-president of the European Parliament before getting promoted to the European Commission in 2020. McGuinness saw her first major success in politics at the 2004 European Parliament elections - she's pictured here on the right alongside then-party leader Enda Kenny and fellow candidate Avril Doyle. Eamonn Farrell / Eamonn Farrell / / McGuinness spent four years as Commissioner for Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union, departing the job after last year's elections. McGuinness did not stand in last year's ballot, with a wide expectation that she was eyeing the opportunity to replace Michael D Higgins in Áras an Uachtaráin. 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
The Journal
05-07-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
Up to 150 Sinn Féin members expected to attend conference on party's gender policy
SINN FÉIN IS holding a key meeting today for its members where they are to help decide on the party's position on gender identity issues. It follows disputes in the party north and south as it has attempted to toe a line on topics like healthcare for transgender youth between the different jurisdictions. This morning's party gathering meeting in Drumcondra will be attended by 150 members from across the island where they will debate the 'issue of gender identity', according to the Sinn Féin press office. Afterwards a report on the meeting will go to the party's ruling Ard Chomhairle for a final decision. A spokesperson told The Journal that the meeting is taking place as a result of a motion to its last Ard Fheis 'asking for a conference on the issue of gender identity to allow members to discuss these issues in order to inform future policy positions'. 'It is an opportunity for members to share their views and to listen to views of others,' the spokesperson added. Advertisement The issue blew up for the party in the aftermath of the UK Supreme Court ruling in April which said that the terms 'woman' and 'sex' in the UK Equality Act do not include transgender women – senior figures including leader Mary Lou McDonald and health spokesperson David Cullinane weighed in at different points in its aftermath. Weeks later , a number of current and former party members spoke out over a belief that Sinn Féin was set to water down its support for LGBT+ issues, in particular on trans rights. The party's grappling with the issue can be partly traced back to the Cass Review , a key UK report which found that thousands of young people questioning their gender identity had been let down by the National Health Service. The reaction to the Cass report in Ireland has been mixed – it has been welcomed here by some but has been heavily disputed by others . One topic expected to feature in today's discussions by Sinn Féin are that of the role of puberty blockers, a form of hormone treatment. The Cass Review also said there was a lack of evidence on the impacts of puberty blockers. These findings preceded the Stormont executive in Belfast – where Sinn Féin holds several key positions – supporting a temporary ban on the medication for transgender youth. Trans advocacy groups have long maintained that puberty blockers are an important part of some people's treatment, with Sinn Féin's support of the ban in the North prompting criticism over the past year. Such groups have also been concerned over the waiting times for transgender and non-binary people seeking specific healthcare, with some pursuing it outside of the official channels, as revealed by The Journal Investigates last May . 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
The Journal
27-05-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
Bryan Dobson set to chair new State Commemorations Advisory Committee
FORMER RTÉ BROADCASTER Bryan Dobson is set to chair a new State Commemorations Advisory Committee. The committee has been established with the aim of supporting Government and key stakeholders in the planning and delivery of commemorative events. Its mandate will be to maintain 'an inclusive, respectful, and consensus-based approach to all commemorative matters', to offer independent, non-partisan advice to Government when requested and to ensure historical events are commemorated 'accurately' and grounded in primary source material. The committee will also provide guidance on 'sensitive or complex themes' associated with historical events. Dobson, who retired from RTÉ in May last year after 37 years at the broadcaster, will chair the committee, whose members will include former ministers Heather Humphreys and Éamon Ó Cuív. Professor Marie Coleman, a professor of 20th century Irish history at Queen's University Belfast, will also sit on the committee. Other members will include National Archives director Orlaith McBride, National Library Director Dr Audrey Whitty, and Professor Paul Rouse from University College Dublin's School of History. Advertisement Minister for Culture Patrick O'Donovan is expected to officially announce the formation of the committee tomorrow. He will say that the committee will ensure 'that the diverse experiences and perspectives that shape our national story continue to be honoured in a respectful and balanced way'. 'Ireland's story is rich, diverse and often challenging. With the thoughtful guidance of this new Committee, we will continue to honour that story not just as history, but as a shared inheritance that belongs to every citizen,' O'Donovan will say. The Minister will meet some of the committee members tomorrow, where they will view a new acquisition by the State. The typed document is a signed agreement between Éamon de Valera, Austin Stack, Arthur Griffith, and Michael Collins that aimed to address the immediate political crisis arising from the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty. The agreement was drafted and signed at the Ard Fheis of Sinn Féin, held on 21-22 February 1922 at the Mansion House in Dublin. Some 3,000 delegates from all over Ireland attended the Ard Fheis to interpret the constitution of Sinn Féin considering the Treaty and to decide the party's policy for the upcoming elections. The document will be added to the collection at the National Archives of Ireland and will be available on the National Archives website for researchers to access. A related item, Michael Collins's Memorial Card, will also be shown to the Minister and the committee. 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
RTÉ News
27-05-2025
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Dobson to chair new State Commemorations Advisory Committee
Former RTÉ News broadcaster Bryan Dobson is to chair the new State Commemorations Advisory Committee. The announcement was made this afternoon by the Minister for Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport, Patrick O'Donovan. The committee is tasked with maintaining an inclusive, respectful, and consensus-based approach to all commemorative matters. It also includes Professor Marie Coleman, former ministers Heather Humphreys and Éamon Ó'Cuív, Orlaith McBride, Professor Paul Rouse and Dr Audrey Whitty. "The Decade of Centenaries was a period of deep historical and national significance. As Minister, I am proud of how we, as a nation, commemorated that complex and formative chapter always with respect, sensitivity, and scholarly integrity. "Today, we build on that legacy by establishing a new Commemorations Advisory Committee to guide future commemorative efforts," Minister O'Donovan said. The minister and some committee members met today in the new headquarters of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to view a recent acquisition by the State. The typed document is a signed agreement between Éamon de Valera, Austin Stack, Arthur Griffith, and Michael Collins that aimed to address the immediate political crisis arising from the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty. The agreement was drafted and signed at the extraordinary Ard Fheis of Sinn Féin, held on 21-22 February 1922, at the Mansion House in Dublin. Some 3,000 delegates from all over Ireland attended to interpret the constitution of Sinn Féin considering the treaty and to decide the party's policy for the upcoming elections. The document will be available on the National Archives website for researchers to access.
The Journal
25-05-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
Tóibín: Aontú would keep rent pressure zones and scrap VAT on housing materials if in government
AONTÚ LEADER PEADAR Tóibín today outlined three policies that his party would adopt in an effort to resolve the housing crisis, coming off the back of the party's Ard Fheis yesterday. The Ard Fheis was held in Gormanstown, Co Meath yesterday, and was shown live on RTÉ in a signifier of the party's growth since its establishment in 2019. The party now has two TDs in Tóibín and Paul Lawless, one senator in Sarah O'Reilly, and six councillors. Among the topics discussed at the event were immigration, housing, and government spending. Today, Tóibín reiterated several of his views. He called for the housing crisis to be declared an emergency, an approach similar to other opposition parties. This would allow the government to push through policies for the public good that would not typically be permitted, such as bypassing some planning laws and objections. The housing target for this year is 41,000 homes, as set out in the programme for government. It became clear earlier this year that it was incredibly unlikely that the government would manage to meet its self-imposed housing target . Last year, the government missed out on the 40,000 homes then Minister for Housing Darragh O'Brien said it was aiming for, and Housing for All plan's target of 33,450. The government has also signalled imminent change to rent pressure zones (RPZs). The rent caps are due to expire at the end of this year. Advertisement Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín speaking at the party's Ard Fheis at the City North hotel in Gormanstown. Alan Rowlette / © Alan Rowlette / © / © If Aontú were to enter government, it would keep rent pressure zones as well as scrapping VAT on housing materials, including construction of homes, Tóibín said. 'We would actually lower the VAT in terms of building homes. At the moment, you have an incredible situation where Micheál Martin is actually talking about getting rid of rent caps to families who are paying two thousand euros [a month]. 'We will keep the rent pressure zones and make it cheaper to build homes by getting rid of VAT. It is absolutely wrong that you have VAT in terms of building those homes,' Tóibín said. In February, the party leader released figures provided by the government that showed that the government had collected close to €3 billion in VAT on housing materials and construction services in 2024 , the highest amount ever collected in a single year. In 2015, the figure was set at €1.2m. 'We'd make it far easier to draw down the refurbishment grants for the 168,000 empty homes. The speed that the government is going in at the moment, in terms of those means it's going to take 115 years before those homes can be brought back into use,' Tóibín said. Operation Shamrock was also discussed. The Aontú initiative would see Irish construction workers in Canada and Australia offered a €10,000 grant to return home and work in the sector for four years. 'We would use current construction exemption regulation to build homes for those in a far speeder time than it takes at the moment.' On other issues, party delegates yesterday voted to adopt party motions including a ban on allowing anyone who has purposefully destroyed their documents to enter the country, and a ban of 'the introduction of Sharia law' or 'community courts of any religion'. 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
