‘I haven't thought about it' – Cynthia Ní Mhurchú on possible run for Áras
The former RTÉ broadcaster, who was elected an MEP last year as a Fianna Fáil candidate, said she hasn't been thinking about running for Áras an Uachtaráin and remains focused on her work in Brussels.
Speaking to Cork Today on C103, Ms Ní Mhurchú described speculation around this year's presidential election as 'hot air', but agreed it was an honour to be mentioned among the potential candidates.
'Number one, I haven't thought about it. Number two, nobody has approached me and I've approached nobody. My thinking on it now is to be quite honest, nothing,' she said.
"Because, I think at this stage it's an awful lot of hot air. I appreciate it's a very important job, and I appreciate we're coming into the silly season and people have to be talking about something.
'I don't mean to sound very pious or very prudish but there's an awful lot more important problems, not only in Ireland, but throughout Europe. For the moment I'm just happy now. It's a busy working day here in Brussels.'
Ms Ní Mhurchú said she was equally honoured to be mentioned among potential candidates for the Áras as she was to be nominated to run for Fianna Fáil in last year's European elections.
She said she is a 'small cog in a wheel of 720 spokes' in the European Parliament and she wants to continue working for her constituents in Ireland South.
A native of Co Carlow, a gaeilgeoir and a former teacher, Ms Ní Mhurchú worked as a journalist and presenter for RTÉ for a decade. After leaving the national broadcaster, she qualified as a barrister.
It was revealed yesterday by the Sunday Independent that talks of a potential run have been held between Fianna Fáil and Unicef Ireland executive director Peter Power.
Mr Power served as a TD for Limerick East from 2002 to 2011 and was a Minister of State in the Department of Foreign Affairs for three years. He has been in his role as Unicef Ireland executive director until he lost his seat in December 2011.
Another former Fianna Fáil minister, Mary Hanafin, also revealed over the weekend she has held talks over the nomination with party leader Micheál Martin.
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Irish Times
16 minutes ago
- Irish Times
Third-level fees causing tension between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael
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Extra.ie
an hour ago
- Extra.ie
Major row as coalition split over rise in student fees
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In the Programme for Government, Fine Gael secured a commitment to 'continue to reduce the student contribution fee over the lifetime of the Government… in a financially sustainable manner'. Simon Harris. Pic: Stephen Collins/Collins Photos But a rift between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael emerged after Mr Harris outlined a number of Budget priorities, including measures to reduce the cost of education, at a private Fine Gael meeting last week. While the Tánaiste told party colleagues that no decision on fees has been made, he said that if a further reduction is rolled out, it would apply to the second instalment of fees, which would be due early in the new year. The comments came despite Mr Lawless previously stating that universal fee cuts would take hundreds of millions from universities and colleges. On Sunday, the Higher Education Minister doubled down on this stance and confirmed that college fees will be reset to €3,000 'as things stand'. 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The Higher Education Minister cast doubt on his ability to achieve a further reduction in college fees, which come at a cost of almost €100million to the Exchequer, without additional cost-of-living funding. Student Fees are set to rise by €1,000 in the coming months. Pic: Getty Images '[We are back to a €3,000] starting point. I've got to go in and negotiate and see what I can get in return, or what I can get instead,' he said. Mr Lawless also indicated a preference towards increasing targeted student grants over fee reductions. 'I want that to go higher, and I want to give more grants to more people,' he said, but his comments have been sharply criticised by Fine Gael. Dublin Rathdown TD and university lecturer Maeve O'Connell said that Fine Gael and Mr Harris remain committed to reducing the cost of third-level education. 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Irish Independent
2 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Lawyers ‘will be real winners' if plans to hike injury awards get green light
The Alliance for Insurance Reform said the proposed rise in award levels would send premiums up for consumers, businesses and community groups. Small business lobby group Isme (Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association), called on Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan not to support an increase in the scale of personal injury awards. Approving the rise would be a capitulation to vested legal interests, it claimed. Isme said the increase would lead to rises in insurance premiums for both businesses and consumers and 'would take money directly from small businesses and into the pockets of lawyers'. The Judicial Council has proposed that personal injury award guidelines should be increased by almost 17pc. It is understood Mr O'Callaghan is to bring a memo to the Cabinet next Tuesday, paving the way for draft legislation that would give effect to a planned rise in award levels. It comes at a time when car insurance premiums have risen for 21 months in a row, having fallen heavily up to 2022. Three-quarters of small businesses, sports, community and voluntary groups have seen their insurance premiums rise over the last two years, despite government reforms, the Alliance for Insurance Reform reported last week. The proposal from the judges comes despite the fact that the recommended payout for minor neck injuries, where recovery is made within six months, is already up to five-and-a-half times higher than in the UK. Alliance chairman Vincent Jennings, who is also chief executive of the Convenience Stores and Newsagents Association (CSNA), said lawyers would be the winners if recommended award levels rise. Insurance campaigners fear that higher award levels will incentivise lawyers to try harder to keep cases out of the State's Injuries Resolution Board process, which generally does not pay legal fees. Injury claims cases that proceed to litigation end up with legal fees averaging €23,000, according to Central Bank research. This is despite the fact that award levels paid by the Injuries Board and those achieved when cases are litigated, or settled before a court hearing, are all similar. Close to half of the settlement offers made by the Injuries Board are rejected. It said recently that 95pc of claimants using its services are represented by a solicitor. The fact that it does not pay legal fees means people often reject its settlement offers, the submission states. 'It is astonishing that at a time when premiums are rising month on month, and we already pay higher awards than any other European country, the Government looks set to approve an increase of 17pc in personal injury awards,' Mr Jennings said. He said such an increase is certain to raise insurance premiums and shows 'a worrying lack of awareness or, worse still, indifference to the ongoing financial challenges motorists, small business owners, voluntary, community and sporting organisations face'.
