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Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Business
- 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.
Irish Independent
23-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Heather Humphreys confirms she will not run in presidential election
Ms Humphreys, who was the Minister for Social Protection in the last Dáil, decided not to run in the last general election in order to spend more time with her family. Since her announcement that she was to leave politics, Ms Humphrey's name has been considered as a potential Fine Gael candidate for the upcoming Presidential election. Ms Humphries said after much consideration, she has decided she would not run. 'I have made my decision, and I have to say, I have been quite humbled by the number of people who have approached me and said that I should run for the presidency,' Ms Humphreys said. 'I have given it a lot of consideration and a lot of thought, and while it is very flattering and a great honour to be considered for the highest office in the land, I have decided that I will not be running for the presidency,' she added. Spending more time with family and friends was again the reason for her decision not to enter the race. 'I said at that time I wanted to spend more time with the family, and that my time in public life was over, and that doesn't mean I'm not committed to public service, but I made that decision then, and it is the same,' Ms Humphreys said. Speaking on the Joe Finnegan Show on Northern Sound Ms Humphreys said she gave a bid for the Áras 'very, very serious consideration'. 'I said at the time, if I was younger, I wouldn't be leaving politics, and the same applies to the presidency. I want to do other things in life, because I have been working. 'People probably don't realise this, between the bank and the credit union and politics, I have worked full time for 47 years,' she said. Committing to the presidency was a significant decision and Ms Humphreys said she would only have considered it if she was willing to give it 100pc. 'I just feel that it's a job for somebody else this time,' Ms Humphreys said. The former minister said she would support any Fine Gael candidate selected, but did name check Mairead McGuinness. 'If she decided to put her name forward, she'd have my support. I've known her for many, many years. I've canvassed with her. She's been a brilliant MEP, a fantastic European Commissioner, and she has been a great ambassador for Ireland,' Ms Humphreys said. 'So I know her well, and as I say, she'd have my support,' she added. Ms Humhreys said she did not discuss her decision with Tanaiste and leader of Fine Gael, Simon Harris. 'I didn't discuss it with anybody. This was my own decision. I discussed it with my family, and so many people have said it to me, and I felt that it was time now to let people know what my decision was,' she said.
