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The Journal
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Journal
Fianna Fáil staying schtum on presidential election, but here's the names in the mix (so far)
FIANNA FÁIL IS keeping its cards close to its chest on who it might run for president, but there are plenty of names in the mix. So far, we have two candidates in the race declared, Fine Gael's Mairead McGuinness and Independent Galway TD Catherine Connolly, who has the backing from the Social Democrats and other independents. While Fine Gael is out early, Fianna Fáil leader and Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said that his party are still taking soundings, indicating that it will be autumn before any name might be put forward. In an interview with The Journal recently , the Taoiseach said whoever it is should be above party politics. Over the weekend, Fianna Fáiler Mary Hanafin , who has said she is open to being asked to run for the party, said it would be an insult if Fianna Fáil chose not to put someone forward as a candidate. The Journal / YouTube With a vacuum of information, it leaves lots of room for speculation, and indeed, a lot of names have been floated. The latest name mentioned is Derry-based Ulster University professor Deirdre Heenan , who the Irish Independent reports today is understood to be in the final stages of negotiations to contest the presidential election on behalf of Fianna Fáil. Heenan was formerly Provost and Dean of Academic Development at the Magee Campus in Derry and in 2012 she was appointed to the Irish President's Council of State as one of the seven personal nominees of President Michael D Higgins. Advertisement Senior sources told The Journal that such speculation is merely 'rumour' stating that 'nothing' should be made of the reports. There have been lots of names put forward as to who Fianna Fáil might go for, with Hanafin, as mentioned above, coming forward a couple of weeks ago stating she would happily like to be asked to run. Independent senator and businessman Aubrey McCarthy has also been mentioned in the mix. He expressed an interest in a possible bid to become president in March, stating that he had been contacted by a number of people who asked him to consider entering the race for Áras an Uachtaráin. McCarthy, founder of homeless and addiction charity Tiglin, went further last month, telling Virgin Media News that the presidency was 'something to consider'. Peter Power , another former minister from the party who now heads Unicef Ireland, has also been mentioned as a possibility. Power, aged 59, was a TD for the party for Limerick East up until the financial crash. He then began as the head of Unicef Ireland in 2012 and has remained there since. He is a qualified solicitor. Donegal TD Pat the Cope Gallagher has also been mentioned as possible party presidential nomination, with some local reports that grassroots members would like to see him run. Former SDLP leader Colum Eastwood has also spoken about possibly being open to becoming the party's candidate for the Irish presidency. However, Martin has said he is not aware of any discussions with Eastwood. The Journal / YouTube Speaking to The Journal at the MacGill Summer School in Glenties over the weekend, he clarified that there has been no discussions with the leadership of Fianna Fáil on the matter. He did state that people within the party had asked him to consider it, which he said he is doing. Related Reads Michael Flatley coy about possible presidential run Catherine Connolly, presidential hopeful, gave her first press conference today — here's what she said Forget the presidency - Joe Duffy is now doing ads for Lidl Eastwood said he believes people want a president to have a vision for the future and ideas on how to heal the island. He acknowledged that he wouldn't be able to vote for himself if he did run, but said there should be nothing stopping anyone from the island of Ireland from running for president. Another name that has been reported is former Irish soccer international Niall Quinn , with The Irish Time reporting recently that he might get the blessing of Fianna Fáil, however there has been no indications, as of yet, that he is pivoting towards run for the presidency. Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern , who has long been talked about as a possible candidate, is understood to still be mulling over a potential bid. Other new runners and riders, though not necessarily linked to Fianna Fáil, that emerged over the weekend included former chief medical officer Tony Holohan. The Irish Mail on Sunday reported that 'plans are in progress' for Dr Holohan to announce his candidacy but it remains unclear whether he will be backed by a political party. Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers told RTÉ's This Week yesterday he was 'not aware of any engagements' between Fianna Fáil and Holohan on the matter. Yesterday, Riverdance star Michael Flatley also indicated that he might be open to running for the president. Again, there is no information as to whether he would get backing from a political party. Who will get the final nod from Fianna Fáil? The Taoiseach has said it will be autumn before the party makes its intentions known. 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 Independent
3 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Social Democrats did not speak to Catherine Connolly about Gemma O'Doherty before Áras endorsement
Today at 00:30 The Social Democrats did not discuss Independent Catherine Connolly's endorsement of the former journalist and conspiracy theorist Gemma O'Doherty before agreeing to back her as a presidential candidate. Ms Connolly backed Ms O'Doherty to stand in the presidential race in 2018, despite the fact she had publicly voiced her opinions against the HPV vaccine and had made unfounded claims about state collusion in the killing of journalist Veronica Guerin.
The Journal
3 days ago
- Politics
- 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 Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
‘Somebody has to speak for the Irish people': Michael Flatley ‘seriously' considering presidential bid
Michael Flatley is not ruling himself out of seeking a nomination to run for president of Ireland , he told Brendan O'Connor on RTÉ Radio 1 on Saturday. The former dancer, famous for creating and choreographing the Riverdance and Lord of the Dance shows, said he believes the Irish people do not have a voice at present. He suggested he may run 'if I thought that I could be of benefit to the Irish people and maybe more importantly, if I thought I could be a voice of the Irish people'. 'I'm very blessed in that… I meet the average person on the street from [ages] five to 95,' Mr Flatley said. 'I meet them all and I hear their concerns. And I'd be lying if I said they're happy right now, and somebody has to speak for the Irish people.' So far, two candidates have been confirmed for the presidential race. Independent TD Catherine Connolly announced her bid after receiving the backing of 20 Oireachtas members, while former European Commissioner Mairead McGuinness has been nominated by Fine Gael. READ MORE [ Who is Mairead McGuinness, the early front-runner in the presidential race? Opens in new window ] Ms McGuinness leads the field in a list of potential candidates, according to the latest Irish Times/Ipsos B&A opinion poll, though the results show nobody has yet caught the public imagination. While he has not yet made a final decision, nor has he been approached by a political party, Mr Flatley said he has had contact with 'some very weighted individuals, people in the know'. Citing his encounters with world leaders like Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, the Obamas and the Clintons, Mr Flatley suggested the job of the president might be to promote the country on a cultural front. [ Who is Catherine Connolly? The outspoken left-wing campaigner running for president Opens in new window ] 'I'm not sure we need another politician if I'm honest,' he said. 'I know it's a statesman's role, but I spent the last 30 years of my life touring the world, promoting Ireland and Irish culture. I've met them all.' Mr Flatley was reluctant to declare any outright intention to run, but confirmed he is 'taking it seriously' and has constructed a team of advisers. He said he has a large business to run with 'an army of dancers counting on me to make a living,. I have a whiskey company, a beautiful young wife and son that I want to spend time with'. [ Michael Flatley refused access to documents in row over legal fees and receiver costs Opens in new window ] 'It's certainly not something that I've made any decision on, but it does get frustrating when you see the hard-working Irish taxpayer working as hard out and having no say in things,' he added. When pressed, he concluded by saying, 'let it be said that I stand for Ireland and the Irish people – sin é'. It remains to be seen whether Mr Flatley would secure a nomination should he seek one.
Irish Independent
5 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Catherine Connolly backed Gemma O'Doherty in 2018 presidential bid, despite public criticism of HPV vaccine
Presidential hopeful Catherine Connolly endorsed former journalist Gemma O'Doherty in the 2018 presidential election, after Ms O'Doherty had publicly voiced her anti-HPV vaccine opinions. On Wednesday, Ms Connolly stood outside the gates of Leinster House, surrounded by supporters from the Social Democrats, as well as Independent TDs and senators, and launched her presidential campaign.
