Shane Ross: Alan Shatter does his cause no favours – but the Oireachtas needs a Jewish voice
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The Journal
43 minutes ago
- The Journal
Pat Rabbitte open to presidential run, while Tony Holohan won't confirm or deny
FORMER LABOUR PARTY leader Pat Rabbitte has said he is open to considering a run for president. Rabbitte was leader of the party between 2002 and 2007 and served as minister for communications, energy and natural resources between 2011 and 2014. The Co Mayo man is currently chairman of Tusla. Asked on Newstalk radio today if he would rule out running for president, Rabbitte said: 'No, one should always keep one's options open.' He went on to say he would 'entertain' a bid if he was approached by a 'broad cross-section of moderate opinion'. Advertisement However, he added: 'I better kill this quickly before it gathers feet: I am very, very happy to leave this challenge to others.' The Labour party has yet to formally back a candidate. Meanwhile, The Irish Mail On Sunday reported former chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan has also not ruled out seeking a nomination. The newspaper reported today that 'plans are in progress' for Holohan to announce his candidacy as he refused to 'confirm or deny' whether he would enter the race. It is unclear whether he will be backed by a political party, although it was reported that he has a cordial relationship with both Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil. Fine Gael's candidate Mairead McGuinness was confirmed by the party, but has yet to be formally ratified. Fianna Fáil have yet to back a candidate. Former minister Mary Hanafin yesterday said that the party should be running a candidate , coming after she expressed her own desire to represent Fianna Fáil in the election. Public Expenditure minister Jack Chambers told RTÉ's This Week that he was 'not aware of any engagements' between Fianna Fáil and Holohan regarding his potential candidacy. Related Reads Catherine Connolly, presidential hopeful, gave her first press conference today — here's what she said Question mark over Mary Lou McDonald's potential candidacy as support for Connolly builds The face of Riverdance, Michael Flatley, didn't rule out his own potential bid yesterday . Michael Healy-Rae said that he would not be contesting the election after broadcaster and former Fine Gael TD Ivan Yates told that the Kerry TD could be a 'dark horse'. Independent TD Catherine Connolly is the only candidate to have formally announced her campaign, having been backed by the Social Democrats and People Before Profit. An opinion poll conducted by The Irish Times showed that Mairead McGuinness is currently the most popular candidate in the mix, followed by Catherine Connolly, but that many voters are not engaged in the Áras race. With reporting by Press Association 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
Irish Examiner
an hour ago
- Irish Examiner
US commerce secretary Lutnick 'confident we'll get a deal done' with EU
US commerce secretary Howard Lutnick said on Sunday he was confident the United States can secure a trade deal with the European Union, but August 1 is a hard deadline for tariffs to kick in. Lutnick said he had just gotten off the phone with European trade negotiators and there was "plenty of room" for agreement. "These are the two biggest trading partners in the world, talking to each other. We'll get a deal done. I am confident we'll get a deal done," Mr Lutnick said in an interview with CBS' "Face the Nation." US president Donald Trump threatened on July 12 to impose a 30% tariff on imports from Mexico and the European Union starting on August 1, after weeks of negotiations with the major US trading partners failed to reach a comprehensive trade deal. Mr Lutnick said that was a hard deadline. "Nothing stops countries from talking to us after August 1, but they're going to start paying the tariffs on August 1," he said on CBS. Mr Trump announced the tariffs in a letter to European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen. He sent letters to other trading partners including Mexico, Canada, Japan, and Brazil, setting blanket tariff rates ranging from 20% to 50%, as well as a 50% tariff on copper. Mr Lutnick also said he expected Mr Trump to renegotiate the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) signed during Mr Trump's first White House term in 2017-21. Barring any major changes, USMCA-compliant goods from Mexico and Canada are exempt from tariffs. "I think the president is absolutely going to renegotiate USMCA, but that's a year from today," Mr Lutnick said. Reuters
Extra.ie
6 hours ago
- Extra.ie
Presidential race heats up: A look at the current favourites, long shots and non-runners
It was claimed this was the race no one wanted to enter, but nonetheless, a Grand National-style field is chaotically milling around the starting gates of the Presidential election due to take place later this year. With the final date for candidate selection looming, attempts are being made to bring order and control to the prospective runners and riders. Here we go through the large field of names and break them down into favourites, contenders, long shots and non-runners… Micheál Martin (Fianna Fáil, 8/1) Like Michael Corleone and the Cosa Nostra , every time Micheál tries to leave the Presidential race, his party drags him back in. Were he to run on a 'Grandad of the Nation' ticket, he would be in the final count — but our fabulously indecisive Taoiseach knows nothing is guaranteed. Micheal Martin. Pic: Getty Mairéad McGuinness (Fine Gael, 10/1) Technically the favourite, but concerns are high in Fine Gael that while she will start briskly, she could finish poorly. Front-runners and certainties have a bad history in Áras races. Ask David Norris and Adi Roche. Mary Lou McDonald (Sinn Féin, 12/1) Mary Lou is a formidable campaigner who actually connects with the voter. Best suited perhaps to a short sprint. Running could be a political shot to nothing — unless Mary Lou ends up as the sweeper candidate who gets Catherine Connolly over the line. Then we'd have trouble. Mary Lou McDonald. Pic: Fran Veale Catherine Connolly (Independent, 12/1) If the left can get its act together, the spiritual heir to Michael D. Higgins — despite their personal rivalry — has a real chance. Those of a mischievous political nature will know she would be an absolute thorn in the side of the Coalition. Bertie Ahern (Fianna Fáil, 25/1) A riddle in an enigma, Ahern is the most qualified candidate — but that's not how these things work. The Áras is a great contest of respectability, and there are too many spooks in the Bertie attic. The time for Bertie to get nervous is if Micheál calls him in and makes him an offer he'd be very wise to refuse — though that is very unlikely. Tony Holohan (Independent, 33/1) As Fianna Fáil scrambles for someone more credible than a couple of retired soccer players, could Tony Holohan surprise? With party backing, the odds on 'the people's doctor' could tighten quickly — and more than Fianna Fáil could be interested. A politically attractive name. Tony Holohan. Pic: Sasko Lazarov/ Niall Quinn / Packie Bonner (Fianna Fáil, 33/1) Two sporting wild cards from the Jack Charlton soccer era. It could go very well, but also has the potential to resemble Eamon Coughlan's brief Fine Gael career. It ended in the Seanad. Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, 40/1) She's very good at the smiling, emoting and looking regal part of the post. But she would have a lot of work to do to overcome the innate partitionist instincts of the Southern voter — and that's just when it comes to Cork candidates. Lynn Boylan (Sinn Féin, 50/1) In the absence of much better, she has come late to the fray. Much has been made of her EU vote, but since topping the poll with 23.6% in 2013, her vote has remained around 10%. Gerry Adams (Sinn Féin, 50/1) He has the same chance as Bertie. We'll leave it at that. Gerry Adams. Pic: Brian Lawless/PA Wire John Finucane (Sinn Féin, 50/1) With his life story, he could contend — but is expected to prefer to stick with the grown-ups in the Northern head office rather than a 14-year stretch in the prison of the Phoenix Park. Cynthia Ní Mhurchú (Fianna Fáil, 66/1) Sparkly and energetic. Elbowed her way through a reasonably impressive field by EU election standards. Unlikely — but not impossible. A.N. Other (Aontú mystery candidate, 75/1) There's talk of Aontú stitching together enough votes to nominate a mystery candidate. Some believe it might be Declan Ganley — which would be a case of too little, too opinionated. Mary Hanafin (Fianna Fáil, 80/1) Ms Hanafin said it would be 'an insult' if Fianna Fáil didn't run a candidate. It would — but it's more likely the party ends up running her. Eamon Ryan (Greens, 80/1) Deserves the chance to hear the public view on initiatives like bicycle carriages in trains where, unlike the standing hoi polloi, bikes can have a rest. Minister Eamon Ryan. Pic: Fran Veale Mike Ryan (Labour, 80/1) A well-intentioned UN bureaucrat that nobody knows. Likely to fare as well as his Labour sponsors: that is, around 5%. Fergus Finlay (Labour, 80/1) Likely to fare only slightly better than Mr Ryan. Peter Power (Fianna Fáil, 100/1) Apparently was a minister back in the day. Already dubbed 'Mr 3%' — in reference to his polling. A nice guy, but we all know where they finish. Colum Eastwood (Anyone at this stage, 100/1) The former SDLP leader is still — apparently — in the running. Fintan O'Toole (Independent, 100/1) Political credibility vanished after failing to show up for service in the 2011 election. Conor McGregor (Independent, 250/1) Someone should tell him that unlike Trump, being President doesn't let you pardon yourself. That might cool his jets. Conor McGregor. Pic: Edward Berthelot/GC Images Mick Wallace (Independent, 250/1) A case of 'send in the clowns', but the idea of Mick — and political partner Clare Daly — in the Park is fleetingly tempting, just for the nosebleeds it would cause. Peter Casey (Independent, 250/1) Too much competition these days in the dog-whistling market. Michael Flatley (Who knows?, 250/1) Says he's been approached by 'people in the know' — but doesn't know himself if he's keen. Jumping from Lord to President might not be that hard though. Frances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael) Wily Fine Gael fox read the room and got out swiftly. Mairéad, take note. Miriam O'Callaghan (Independent) Would have to run as an Independent, but the running would suit Fianna Fáil, which might take the 'spontaneous' decision to back 'our Miriam'. Still 20/1 despite seemingly ruling herself out. Miriam O'Callaghan. Pic: Gareth Chaney/ Collins Photos Heather Humphreys (Fine Gael) A clever campaigner who was an early favourite. Also made a smart early exit. Mairéad, take note again. Seán Kelly (Fine Gael) Clever fox spent some time sniffing around before bolting back to the burrow. Frances Black (Independent) She's in. She's out. She's in. No one cares anymore. Joe Duffy (Possibly Labour) Wisely took another page from Gaybo's book and decided fronting Aldi ads is a better retirement plan. Joe Duffy. Pic: Michael Chester Máire Geoghegan-Quinn (Fianna Fáil) Has a life — and intends to keep it. Silence makes it abundantly clear no amount of excitable FF TDs will change that. Jarlath Burns (Independent) Decided that being President of the GAA was the better gig. Barry Andrews (Fianna Fáil) Exited the race before embarrassing himself further. Holly Cairns (Social Democrats) Could have stood on a 'Something different… something nice' ticket, but her party wisely decided to focus on actual politics.
