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Irish Post
3 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Post
Galway TD Catherine Connolly launches bid for Ireland's presidency
CATHERINE CONNOLLY has launched her bid for the presidency of Ireland. The independent Galway TD confirmed she has 'secured the support of my colleagues to run for the office of Uachtarán na hÉireann', with members of the Social Democrats and People Before Profit parties among her supporters. "It's an important day for me, and I'm finally confirming I'm standing for the presidency of Ireland,' she said in a statement made outside Leinster House. Independent Galway TD Catherine Connolly outside Leinster House with supporters including members of the Social Democrats and People Before Profit, after she officially announced her intention to run as the next President of Ireland. (Pic: "I stand here, not as a politician seeking office, but as a citizen, to serve as the president of Ireland with the help of the votes and people of Ireland,' she added. "I do so with humility and with hope. I do so with a deep conviction that together we can make this country better and that we can make this country live up to its name as a Republic and show there's a different way. "I'm standing to enable people, empower people to find their own voices, to stand up and be counted and say there is a different way." Mairead McGuinness has been confirmed as Fine Gael's nominee for the Irish presidential election. (Pic: Rolling news) Current President Michael D Higgins will complete his second and final term in the role in November. Ms Connolly is the second person to confirm their intention to run to replace him. Former EU Commissioner Mairead McGuinness was confirmed as Fine Gael's candidate earlier this week. The election to succeed Mr Higgins is expected to take place in late October. Prospective candidates need the nominations of 20 Oireachtas members to get on the ballot paper. See More: Catherine Connolly, Galway, Ireland, Presidency
Irish Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Times
Catherine Connolly launches presidential bid saying she wants to ‘empower people to find their own voices'
Independent TD Catherine Connolly has launched her bid to become president, saying 'we're at a critical state in our country' and she is standing to 'empower people to find their own voices'. The Galway West TD made the announcement outside Leinster House on Wednesday, flanked by politicians from the Social Democrats and People Before Profit as well as Independents who are set to nominate her to appear on the ballot paper. During a press conference she spoke about her vision for the presidency, defended her record including a trip she took to Syria during dictator Bashar al-Assad's time in power and spoke about her nomination of journalist Gemma O'Doherty for president in 2018. Announcing her election bid, Ms Connolly said: 'I do so with the deep conviction that together, we can make this country better, and that we can make this country live up to its name, the Republic, and show that there is a different way.' READ MORE She said: 'We're at a critical state in our country', and added she was standing 'to enable people, to empower people to find their own voices, to stand up and be counted, to say there is a different way'. Ms Connolly said: 'We must deal with climate change. We must be a voice for peace. We have to stop the normalisation of war and violence. We have to stop the normalisation of homelessness. We have to say that these problems are not inevitable.' She added: 'They are man-made, policy driven, and we can have a different type of country and a different type of world. 'That is what motivates me'. Syria trip Since it emerged last week that she would be throwing her hat in the ring, a trip she took to Syria in 2018 along with then-TDs Clare Daly , Mick Wallace and Maureen O'Sullivan has resurfaced. At the time, al-Assad was still in office and engaged in a brutal civil war. Asked about the visit, she said she funded the trip herself, its purpose was 'fact-finding' with fellow TDs and activists and she 'met no member of government'. She said she visited a refugee camp outside Damascus and 'saw firsthand the destruction of a whole city', adding: 'I mean, my idea, up to then, of a refugee camp wasn't up to scratch really.' Ms Connolly said they were shown around by Palestinians and 'we stayed with them all of the time'. They travelled to Aleppo and met the Chamber of Commerce and also had a meeting with Unicef as well as visiting a convent. Catherine Connolly launching her presidential bid outside the Dáil on Wednesday. Photograph: Alan Betson Catherine Connolly answering questions from members of the media outside the Dáil on Wednesday. Photograph: Alan Betson Catherine Connolly with supporters as she launches her presidential bid outside the Dáil on Wednesday. Photograph: Alan Betson 'On no occasion had I anything to do with the government, nor did I ever utter one word of support for Assad,' she said. Presidential salary The salary for the presidency is approximately €350,000 and the current office-holder Michael D Higgins has waived a portion of it as well as Oireachtas pensions over the course of his two terms. Ms Connolly said she will 'look at the salary' and is 'open to ideas on that' adding: 'I'm certainly going to use it for the common good.' She said she would discuss it with her team and set out how she would use the salary 'in due course'. Northern Ireland On her position in relation to Northern Ireland she said: 'I think we're going to have United Ireland very soon' but it would not be 'immediate'. She said the Belfast Agreement 'has set the framework for that. Tremendous work has been done on the ground, with cross-Border bodies, and I look forward to the day when we have a United Ireland.' Ms Connolly added: 'There must be consent. I absolutely value the diversity, and we must value the different backgrounds in Northern Ireland.' Ms Connolly was among a number of Oireachtas members that indicated they would support Ms O'Doherty's bid to get on the presidential election ballot paper in 2018. Ms O' Doherty was unsuccessful in her attempt to win enough nominations to run and she subsequently became involved in far-right and anti-immigration activism. Ms Connolly said she does not regret making the nomination in 2018 saying Ms O'Doherty 'had done some good work as an investigative journalist.' She added: 'I didn't know her personally, but I knew her role, and I gave her a nomination when the time came. That didn't mean I was supporting her.' Ms Connolly said: 'Do I regret what's happened to the relation to her? Absolutely. Do I support her in any way? Not at all.' Political style Asked about a perception that she has a combative political style, Ms Connolly said she disputed that and said she would 'rephrase' it, adding: 'I think I've been very straight, honest and direct. I think I'm a very hard worker.' 'If as a society we don't value hard work and straight and blunt talking without any spin, then we're in trouble. 'I don't think I've set out to stir things or to be that type of politician.' She pointed to her time as Leas Cheann Comhairle in the last Dáil, saying: 'I've shown that I've been fair, that I'm able to put aside my strong opinion and function as a Leas Cheann Comhairle.' She said: 'I'm a democrat to my fingertips.' Earlier, she told RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta's Adhmhaidin programme that she did not make the decision to contest the election overnight and was doubtful enough about the move, but was convinced by correspondence she got from people asking her to run. 'I was taken aback by the support I received, I wasn't expecting that level of support from people across the country, in English and Irish,' she said speaking in Irish. McGuinness nomination On Tuesday, Fine Gael's Mairead McGuinness became the first official nominee in the presidential race to replace Michael D Higgins after his term comes to an end in the autumn. Ms McGuinness, who was a TV presenter and farming journalist before becoming an MEP and EU commissioner, is the nominee to become Fine Gael's presidential candidate. [ Profile: The outspoken left-wing campaigner running for president Opens in new window ] The election to succeed Mr Higgins is set to take place in late October or early November. Prospective candidates need the support of 20 Oireachtas members to get on the ballot paper. Fianna Fáil has not clarified if it will run a candidate and is to make a decision in the early autumn. Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has also refused to rule herself out of the running. Connolly profile Ms Connolly has received the backing of the Social Democrats and People Before Profit, with the Labour Party 'very seriously' consider backing her. Ms Connolly worked as a barrister and a clinical psychologist before becoming a councillor for 17 years and spending a term as Galway mayor until 2005. She resigned from the Labour Party in 2006 after being turned down to be a running mate of then incumbent TD Mr Higgins. She was first elected to the Dáil as an independent candidate for Galway West in 2016. - Additional reporting PA
BreakingNews.ie
4 days ago
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Catherine Connolly formally launches presidential bid
Independent TD Catherine Connolly has formally launched her bid to become Ireland's next president, saying she wants to 'empower people' to find their own voices. The left-wing Galway West representative said she wants to show that Ireland can be a 'different type' of country. Advertisement Speaking outside Leinster House in Dublin, surrounded by politicians from the Social Democrats and People Before Profit, as well as Independent TDs and Senators, Ms Connolly said it was a 'privilege' to have their support. She confirmed that she has the 20 nominations required to stand in the election, which is expected to take place in October. She outlined her priorities and vision for the role of president, saying that it is possible to make Ireland better and to live up to its Republic name. Ms Connolly also agreed that the salary for the office of the president is high, saying she would 'look at it'. Advertisement The president's annual salary is just over €330,000 a year. 'I certainly would look at the salary, and I'm open to ideas on that,' Ms Connolly said. 'I would have my own ideas, in due course, how I would use that salary and how I produce it to the best of my ability for the common good.' 'I will discuss that with the team I have. There are lots of decisions to make about the campaign, and how I use the salary is one of those.' Advertisement Ms Connolly worked as a barrister and a clinical psychologist before becoming a councillor for 17 years and spending a term as Galway mayor until 2005. She resigned from the Labour Party in 2006 after being turned down to be a running mate of then-incumbent TD Michael D Higgins. She was first elected to the Dáil as an independent candidate for Galway West in 2016. Independent TD Catherine Connolly speaking to the media outside Leinster House, Dublin (Brian Lawless/PA) She also said she supports transparency around the activities and spending of the president's office, but stopped short of calling for further scrutiny. Advertisement She added: 'Well, it's interesting. I'm back on the Public Accounts Committee for my second time, and I was on it in the first term, and I had a difficult role in the sense that I knew Michael D and so on, but we had to examine the accounts. 'I did that to the best of my ability, and I would hope that will continue to be done on the public accounts for the president, where the expenses are closely scrutinised. I did that to the best of my ability.' Speaking outside Leinster House, she said: 'I'm standing to enable people, to empower people to find their own voices, to stand up and be counted, to say there is a different way. 'We must deal with climate change. We must be a voice for peace. We have to stop the normalisation of war and violence. Advertisement 'We have to stop the normalisation of homelessness. We have to say that these problems are not inevitable. 'They are man-made, policy-driven, and we can have a different type of country and a different type of world. 'That is what motivates me, and I understand that's what motivates all of those around me.' She added: 'I think I have shown my mettle as Leas-Cheann Comhairle (deputy chairwoman). 'I think I've shown that I've been fair, that I'm able to put aside my strong opinions and function as Leas-Cheann Comhairle. 'I'm a Democrat to my fingertips. It was actually interesting for me to serve as Leas-Cheann Comhairle for four-and-a-half years, or approximately, a role I wasn't expecting. 'I stood in that with the help of my colleagues and with the help of the opposition, to show that we can stand together as an opposition and provide a different way of doing things.' Asked whether she wants the backing of Sinn Féin, Ms Connolly said that it and the Labour Party are going through their own process, but would like to see their support. 'I would like the support of anyone. I'd like to be an inclusive candidate to say, let's do this together. Let's show what's possible,' she added. She said earlier: 'I will give an ear to everyone. I worked as a clinical psychologist for seven years, and then I worked as a barrister. From that experience, I can hear everyone's opinion.' On Tuesday, Mairead McGuinness became the first official nominee in the presidential race to replace Michael D Higgins after his term comes to an end in the autumn. Ms McGuinness, who was a TV presenter and farming journalist before becoming an MEP and EU commissioner, is the nominee to become Fine Gael's presidential candidate. Fianna Fáil, the party with the most TDs in the Dáil, has not clarified if it will run a candidate and is to make a decision in the early autumn. Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has also refused to rule herself out of the running. Asked about who would pay for her campaign, Ms Connolly said the parties that have backed her 'were happy' to give her any support she needs, but the details had not yet been worked out. She was also asked about her stance on the war in Ukraine – about the suggestion that she did not clap during Volodymyr Zelensky's address to the Dáil in April 2022, and whether Ukraine should be sent arms by other countries. She said she had criticised Russia 'many times' and was despondent about the failure of diplomacy in relation to the conflict, but that does not give Russia 'any excuse'. She said she did clap for Mr Zelensky in April 2022 but said some journalists reckoned her applause 'did not go on long enough or was not strong enough'. She added: 'I want us to use our voice as a neutral country. I am very worried about the direction Europe, the US and other countries are going in. More war does not bring about peace, that is not the way. 'We're a small country with a particular history and we should use that experience and influence, not just in relation to Russia, but in relation to Israel and Gaza too.'
Irish Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Times
Catherine Connolly launches presidential bid saying she wants ‘empower people to find their own voices'
Independent TD Catherine Connolly has launched her bid to become president, saying 'we're at a critical state in our country' and she is standing to 'empower people to find their own voices'. The Galway West TD made the announcement outside Leinster House on Wednesday, flanked by politicians from the Social Democrats and People Before Profit as well as independents who are set to nominate her to appear on the ballot paper. During a press conference she spoke about her vision for the presidency and also defended her record including a trip she took to Syria during dictator Bashar al-Assad's time in power Announcing her election bid, she said: 'I do so with the deep conviction that together, we can make this country better, and that we can make this country live up to its name, the Republic, and show that there is a different way.' READ MORE She said: 'We're at a critical state in our country', and added she was standing 'to enable people, to empower people to find their own voices, to stand up and be counted, to say there is a different way.' Ms Connolly said: 'We must deal with climate change. We must be a voice for peace. We have to stop the normalisation of war and violence. We have to stop the normalisation of homelessness. We have to say that these problems are not inevitable.' She added: 'They are man-made, policy driven, and we can have a different type of country and a different type of world. 'That is what motivates me'. Since it emerged last week that she would be throwing her hat in the ring, a trip she took to Syria in 2018 along with then-TDs Clare Daly , Mick Wallace and Maureen O'Sullivan has resurfaced. At the time, al-Assad was still in office and engaged in a brutal civil war. Asked about the visit, she said she funded the trip herself, its purpose was 'fact-finding' with fellow TDs and activists and she 'met no member of government'. She said she visited a refugee camp outside Damascus and 'saw firsthand the destruction of a whole city', adding: 'I mean, my idea, up to then, of a refugee camp wasn't up to scratch really.' Ms Connolly said they were shown around by Palestinians and 'we stayed with them all of the time'. They travelled to Aleppo and met the Chamber of Commerce and also had a meeting with Unicef as well as visiting a convent. Catherine Connolly launching her presidential bid outside the Dáil on Wednesday. Photograph: Alan Betson Catherine Connolly answering questions from members of the media outside the Dáil on Wednesday. Photograph: Alan Betson Catherine Connolly with supporters as she launches her presidential bid outside the Dáil on Wednesday. Photograph: Alan Betson 'On no occasion had I anything to do with the government, nor did I ever utter one word of support for Assad,' she said. Asked about a perception that she has a combative political style, Ms Connolly said she disputed that and said she would 'rephrase' it, adding: 'I think I've been very straight, honest and direct. I think I'm a very hard worker.' 'If as a society we don't value hard work and straight and blunt talking without any spin, then we're in trouble. 'I don't think I've set out to stir things or to be that type of politician.' She pointed to her time as Leas Cheann Comhairle in the last Dáil, saying: 'I've shown that I've been fair, that I'm able to put aside my strong opinion and function as a Leas Cheann Comhairle.' She said: 'I'm a democrat to my fingertips.' Earlier, she told RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta's Adhmhaidin programme that she did not make the decision to contest the election overnight and was doubtful enough about the move, but was convinced by correspondence she got from people asking her to run. 'I was taken aback by the support I received, I wasn't expecting that level of support from people across the country, in English and Irish,' she said speaking in Irish. On Tuesday, Fine Gael's Mairead McGuinness became the first official nominee in the presidential race to replace Michael D Higgins after his term comes to an end in the autumn. Ms McGuinness, who was a TV presenter and farming journalist before becoming an MEP and EU commissioner, is the nominee to become Fine Gael's presidential candidate. [ Profile: The outspoken left-wing campaigner running for president Opens in new window ] The election to succeed Mr Higgins is set to take place in late October or early November. Prospective candidates need the support of 20 Oireachtas members to get on the ballot paper. Fianna Fáil has not clarified if it will run a candidate and is to make a decision in the early autumn. Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has also refused to rule herself out of the running. Ms Connolly has received the backing of the Social Democrats and People Before Profit, with the Labour Party to 'very seriously' consider backing her. Ms Connolly worked as a barrister and a clinical psychologist before becoming a councillor for 17 years and spending a term as Galway mayor until 2005. She resigned from the Labour Party in 2006 after being turned down to be a running mate of then incumbent TD Michael D Higgins. She was first elected to the Dáil as an independent candidate for Galway West in 2016. Speaking on Wednesday, she said she did not 'fall out' with the Labour Party and said she understood that Labour and Sinn Féin were considering support her, adding she already had the support of more than 20 Oireachtas members. - additional reporting PA
RTÉ News
4 days ago
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Connolly confirms intention to run for presidency
Independent TD Catherine Connolly has declared her intention to run in the presidential election. Speaking on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, the Galway West TD said she took her time to make up her mind and correspondence from supporters helped her reach the decision. So far, she has the backing of 12 Social Democrats, including Eoin Hayes, as well as the two People Before Profit TDs and a number of Independent TDs. only one put forward when nominations closed yesterday afternoon. Fine Gael will ratify her candidacy in September.
