‘If Ed Walsh phones, Donald Trump answers': Will the US president's golf buddy be his Irish enforcer as ambassador?
The new US ambassador to Ireland, Edward Walsh, has arrived in his palatial residence in the Phoenix Park with a welcome from the powers-that-be. But it is a reception tinged with awkwardness, and in certain quarters, the policies of his government will be met with downright hostility.
Lurking in the background is an ill-disguised Irish loathing of much of what is going on in Donald Trump's White House – the war in Gaza, the bombing of Iran and the precarious nature of current trade talks which could be devastating for the Irish economy should they go wrong. What happens if the president of the United States throws an unpredictable hissy fit?
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Extra.ie
23 minutes ago
- Extra.ie
Want to be President of Ireland? Here's what you'll need to qualify
With the reign of President Michael D Higgins coming to an end later this year, the door to the Áras is wide open for any and all candidates who fancy a four year stint in the Phoenix Park. While there has been much speculation about who will be Michael D's successor in recent months, a number of big names have also withdrawn their names from the running as of late. This has us here at wondering, what are the qualifications, if any, to be able to run for president of the Emerald Isle? With the reign of President Michael D Higgins coming to an end later this year, the door to the Áras is wide open for any and all candidates who fancy a four year stint in the Phoenix Park. Pic:Well, firstly you have to be an Irish Citizen and aged 35 or older. You also have to be nominated by at least 20 members of the Oireachtas, or at least four local authorities. However, if you are already a sitting head of state, then you can nominate yourself. The race for the Áras, as its affectionately known, was opened wide this week with the possibility that retired RTE Liveline host Joe Duffy might put himself forward for the role of President of Ireland, but today (July 5), Joe made it clear that he has no intention of going after Michael D's job. The race for the Áras, as its affectionately known, was opened wide this week with the possibility that retired RTE Liveline host Joe Duffy might put himself forward for the role of President of Ireland, but today (July 5), Joe made it clear that he has no intention of going after Michael D's job. Pic: Andres Poveda He wrote: 'Thanks, but to be absolutely clear I am NOT seeking a nomination from any politicians, local or national, for the office of President. 'I will not be adding anything further.' You couldn't make it clearer than that Joe. So, back to the rules and qualifications needed for someone to be eligible to run for the office of President of Ireland. While there has been much speculation about who will be Michael D's successor in recent months, a number of big names have also withdrawn their names from the running as of late. Pic: President of Ireland's Office via PA Wire Any election must take place at least 60 days before the current President's term of office runs out. If the current President resigns, becomes incapacitated, is removed from office for whatever reason, or dies, then an election must be held within the following 60 days. Voting is by secret ballot and based on proportional representation by a single transferable vote, and while most people choose to vote at their local polling stations, postal voting is also an option. Any election must take place at least 60 days before the current President's term of office runs out. Pic: Victor Reche/Shutterstock And what happens if only one person is nominated, has no competition for the role, and is the only candidate? Then an election is obviously not needed, as happened in 2004 when Mary McAleese was inaugurated as President for a second term without an election, as she was the sole candidate. The bigger question is – How much does it cost to run? Well, the spending limit, per candidate, is €750,000. Each candidate's election agent must tell the Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPO) how much the candidate spent. There are also strict limits on the value of donations to candidates and each candidate's election agent must also tell the SIPO how much was received. One man who would probably take a good share of the popular vote would be Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary, but he ruled himself out of the job on Friday (July 4) while speaking to Claire Byrne on RTE Radio 1. Pic: Horacio Villalobos Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images One man who would probably take a good share of the popular vote would be Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary, but he ruled himself out of the job on Friday (July 4) while speaking to Claire Byrne on RTE Radio 1. He called the job of President of Ireland 'The most useless, valueless, wasteful job', before adding that he would not be interested in running for President as he already has a job that has value and is useful. However, he did add that if Mairéad McGuinness were to throw her hat into the ring he would support her and he sent good wishes to anyone who plans on running but said 'It sure as hell would'nt be me' So, the race is wide open folks, the job will be up for grabs for anyone who qualifies and fancies a four year stint among the deer, in the beautiful parkland mansion that is Áras an Uachtaráin.
Irish Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
RTE's Joe Duffy breaks silence on Presidential speculation
Former Liveline host Joe Duffy has ruled himself out of the Irish presidential election race following months of speculation. Mr Duffy, who retired from RTÉ just last week after over three decades, had been linked to a run and had been tipped as a contender for either a Fianna Fáil or unity candidate for the left. However, taking to social media on Saturday afternoon, Mr Duffy put the rumours to bed and insisted that he would not run to replace President Michael D Higgins. He wrote: 'Thanks , but to be absolutely clear I am NOT seeking a nomination from any politicians , local or national, for the office of President. I will not be adding anything further.' In response to one X user who asked if Mr Duffy was 'categorically saying you will not be running for the role of President of Ireland', the Dublin man responded, 'Yes'. The confirmation comes a week after Mr Duffy refused to give a definitive answer on entering the presidential election campaign during a round of retirement interviews. He said: "I will not lose the run of myself. I can see the Aras from Claddagh Green [in Ballyfermot], I'd say that's the closest I'll ever get to it." In Leinster House earlier this week, People Before Profit's Paul Murphy refused to give a definitive answer on whether Mr Duffy could be a candidate for the joint left. He had also been linked to a run for Fianna Fáil. Fine Gael will become the first political party out of the presidential election traps as it opens its nomination process tomorrow on Monday. It is widely expected that current MEP and former GAA President Sean Kelly and former European Commissioner Mairead McGuinness will fight a two-way battle to secure the party's backing. President Michael D Higgins will depart Áras an Uachtaran on November 11 following a 14-year stint. The election must take place 60 days before his departure, with polling day most likely to be in October. Fine Gael will open its nomination process on Monday just over a week until Tuesday July 15 at 4pm. John Carroll, Fine Gael General Secretary, recently told the party that a candidate needs the nomination of 20 members of the Parliamentary Party, 25 Fine Gael Councillors and five members of the Executive Council. In the event of a contest, Fine Gael will apply the 'electoral college' voting system it uses in other votes, such as to elect a party leader or to ratify programmes for government. Anyone who has been a member of Fine Gael for two years has a vote. The membership vote is worth 30% of the overall vote, the Councillors' votes are worth 15% and the Parliamentary Party votes account for 55%. Mr Carroll explained: 'There will be a number of hustings held in late July with a postal ballot of members to take place across August. 'The Parliamentary Party will vote in one location, and a decision is to be taken as to how councillors will vote (whether in person or by postal ballot). 'The result will be announced, and the candidate ratified at an event in early September. 'Whilst most members do not have a role in the nomination process, the Executive Council has agreed that when a person sets out that they are seeking the Party nomination, they will be given the opportunity to send an email to all members setting out their case.' Mr Carroll noted that the Fine Gael Executive Council will write to each Fine Gael council group to 'get their views on how we, as a Party, should approach the issue of independents or individuals from other parties seeking nominations to contest this election'. Independent candidates can run for election if they receive support from either 20 Oireachtas members or four county councils. However, the Irish Mirror understands that both Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil will not allow their councillors to back non-party candidates. This could narrow the electoral field. Out of 949 elected councillors across the country. Some 248 are Fianna Fáil, while another 245 are in Fine Gael. Between them, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have the majority on 21 of 31 councils. On the councils where they do not have a majority, there tends to be a high number of Sinn Féin, Labour or Social Democrats councillors elected. Ms McGuiness is seen by many in Fine Gael to be the front runner to secure the party's presidential nomination. Mr Kelly told the Irish Times this weekend that he is '50-50' on whether he will contest, but most in Fine Gael believe he will enter the race. There is also a desire amongst some in the party that there is a competition for the position following Simon Harris' uncontested bid to become party leader in April 2024. Fine Gael is the only party not holding their cards to their chest as the presidential election draws ever closer. Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said that Fianna Fáil will decide on its strategy after the summer to save candidates from a deluge of headlines during the quiet summer period. Former minister Mary Hanafin stated last week that she would be interested in contesting the presidential election. However, this was met with raised eyebrows from her Fianna Fáil colleagues, with several members of the parliamentary party telling the Irish Mirror that 'nobody wants her to run'. One TD remarked that Ms Hanafin had failed to get elected to the Dáil in the Dun Laoghaire constituency in the 2011, 2016 and 2020 elections. They added: 'The only hope Fianna Fáil has of winning the presidential election is if Micheál [Martin] himself runs.' Meanwhile, the Irish Examiner reported on Saturday that Riverdance star Michael Flatley is considering an Áras bid. Other names in the frame include Independent TD Catherine Connolly and Independent Senator Aubrey McCarthy. MMA fighter Conor McGregor, former candidate and Dragon Dens star Peter Casey and lawyer and failed general election candidate Nick Delahanty have all expressed interest in contesting the election. However, the likelihood of any receiving enough support to secure a nomination is slim.
Irish Examiner
2 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Israeli air strikes kill 14 Palestinians in Gaza, including 10 seeking food
Israeli air strikes have killed 14 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, including 10 as they sought food in the embattled enclave, hospital officials told reporters. Two American aid workers with the Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation were also injured in southern Gaza after unknown assailants threw grenades at them at a food distribution site, the organisation said. The bloodshed comes as US-led ceasefire efforts aimed at halting a nearly 21-month war appear to be gaining momentum. Hamas gave a 'positive' response late on Friday to the latest US proposal for a 60-day truce, but said further talks are needed on implementation. Israel continues to pound targets in Gaza (AP) Guarantees are being sought by Hamas that the initial truce would lead to a total end to the war and withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza. US President Donald Trump has been pushing for an agreement and is set to host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House next week to discuss a deal. The Israeli air strikes struck tents in the Muwasi area on the southern end of Gaza's Mediterranean coast, killing seven people, including a Palestinian doctor and his three children, according to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. Across #Gaza, attacks on tents and schools hosting displaced people and on people trying to access food continue to be reported, resulting in mass casualties. Between 7 October 2023 and 25 June 2025 in Gaza: 🚨at least 57,012 Palestinians have reportedly been killed 🚨134,592… — UNRWA (@UNRWA) July 5, 2025 Four others were killed in the town of Bani Suheila in southern Gaza, and three people were killed in three different strikes in Khan Younis. The Israeli army did not provide immediate comment on the strikes. Meanwhile, eight Palestinians were killed near a GHF aid distribution site in the southern city of Rafah, the hospital said. One Palestinian was also killed near another GHF point in Rafah. Much of Gaza's population has been displaced (AP) It was not clear how far away the Palestinians were from the sites. GHF denied the killings happened near their sites. Previously the organisation has said no-one has been shot at its sites, which are guarded by private contractors but can only be accessed by passing Israeli military positions hundreds of yards away. The army had no immediate comment, but has said it fires warning shots as a crowd-control measure and it only aims at people when its troops are threatened. One Palestinian was also killed waiting in crowds for aid trucks in eastern Khan Younis, officials at Nasser Hospital said. Fuel is a lifeline in #Gaza - it runs hospital generators, ambulances, bakeries, and water pumps. Without urgent shipments of fuel into Gaza, a complete shutdown of basic services with will bring even more suffering: a collective punishment. Fuel must be allowed in at scale… — UNRWA (@UNRWA) July 5, 2025 The United Nations and other international organisations bring in their own supplies of aid. It was unclear to which organisation the aid trucks the Palestinians were waiting for belonged to, but the incident did not appear to be connected to GHF operations. Crowds of Palestinians often wait for trucks and unload or loot their contents before they reach their destinations. These trucks must pass through areas under Israeli military control. The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the incident. The war in Gaza was set off after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7 2023, killing some 1,200 people and taking 250 others hostage. Israel responded with an offensive that has killed over 57,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza health ministry, displaced nearly all of Gaza's two million people and left many on the edge of famine.
