Latest news with #MaireadMcGuinness
Irish Times
a day ago
- Business
- Irish Times
Fine Gael's Seán Kelly ‘could do a lot' as president but stops short of declaring run
Fine Gael 's Seán Kelly has said he 'could do a lot' as president as he continues to consider a bid for Áras an Uachtaráin while stopping short of declaring he will enter the race. The Ireland South MEP also highlighted comments from Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary , who described the presidency as a 'makey-uppy job'. Mr Kelly said while the remarks were 'a bit cynical' – and he did not agree with Mr O'Leary's approach – 'the makey-uppy is what I would like because what that actually means is flexibility to look at it and to do a lot of things'. Fine Gael is set to open its nominations process for the presidential election next month. READ MORE Former European commissioner and MEP Mairead McGuinness has also been tipped as a possible candidate but is yet to confirm any intention. Mr Kelly has been mulling over a possible run in recent months. His latest remarks came during a questions-and-answers session at a lunch jointly hosted by the Association of European Journalists and the European Parliament's Dublin office. He said he has been asked to run mainly by Fine Gael colleagues but also by people he knows through sport andwas 'thinking about it', but noted there were arguments 'for and against'. 'It's obviously the highest honour in Ireland but also it's a big change of lifestyle,' he said. 'It's a seven-year commitment, which I think is pretty long. It's unique, probably in elected politics, to be elected for that long.' On the qualities he could bring to the job Mr Kelly expressed a reluctance to be 'blowing my own trumpet until I have my mind made up'. 'I'd ask those who were asking me to go forward, what do they see in me that might make me a good president?' 'I'd be thinking – I could do a lot actually – but I won't spell it out.' In March Ryanair chief executive Mr O'Leary backed Ms McGuinness, saying he would be 'very proud' to have her as Ireland's next president. He also indicated he would not want the 'makey-uppy' role himself. Mr Kelly expressed hope there would be multiple candidates seeking the Fine Gael nomination as he believed party members would like to have their say on who would contest the election. On what can be bruising campaigns he said people were 'surprised and some maybe not too pleased' with the tone of the last two presidential elections and there were 'very fine people who were destroyed'.
The Journal
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Journal
Who would you rather see as Fine Gael's presidential nominee?
TÁNAISTE AND FINE Gael leader Simon Harris has confirmed that his party will open presidential nominations will open in early July. Seán Kelly MEP has said that he has not made a final decision on seeking a nomination, but the expectation is that he will. Advertisement Meanwhile, former European Commissioner Mairead McGuinness has not ruled out running. Some party sources have said that she is 'everywhere', suggesting that she is actively building support. Harris previously told The Journal that he believes an internal contest for the presidential bid 'could be healthy'. So, today we're asking you: Who would you rather see as the Fine Gael presidential candidate? Poll Results: Mairead McGuinness (177) Someone else (let us know in the comments) (78) Seán Kelly (47) Seán Kelly Mairead McGuinness Someone else (let us know in the comments) Vote
Irish Times
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
The Presidency is a plum job no one wants. There's no real mystery why
It is already midsummer, yet no presidential candidate has declared for an election which is about four months away (unless you count Conor McGregor and Peter Casey ). Is this a crisis? So far, the prospect of a rather nice job – quarter-of-a-million euro salary, fully staffed des res and front-of-house seats everywhere accompanied by standing ovations – has been marked by expressions of no or fleeting interest. Sadly, then, there will be no Michael McDowell , Jarlath Burns , Barry Andrews , Heather Humphreys or Frances Fitzgerald to kick around for months on end. Independent Ireland says it has 'done a lot of talking' about nominating a runner. Aontú is 'actively considering' it. So is Sinn Féin , though it will probably be an agreed independent candidate, ie one kept at arm's length lest disaster strikes again. Mairead McGuinness , the current favourite in a speculative field, said she would make a decision by May. That was in early April. READ MORE 'I'm trying to see the whites of Bertie's eyes there, but I just can't see them. So if you wink, I'll wink, Bertie. Is that a deal?' she said to fellow panellist Bertie Ahern on RTÉ. And Bertie? With Barry Andrews out of the running, the famously cunning one may well be pondering how a more forgiving generation has allowed Sinn Féin to detach itself from the past and whether it might offer the same indulgence to peace process Bertie. Even in the depths of a Fianna Fáil -led recession in 2011, his sunny optimism about the presidential job and his popularity remained untarnished. Two months before the election he said he would have 'done all right' as a candidate but for the decline in the Fianna Fáil party's popularity, the 'downturn' and 'all the hassle of the tribunals'. Not much to contend with, so. But the problem for any plucky outside contenders is it can take that Bertie-style tunnel vision, grit, cunning and a steely imperviousness to gross insults to get a win. The paradox of the presidency is the ambassadorial degree of protocol and judgment required of the actual job versus the epic levels of dirty politics that is sometimes required to get there. It may be an entertaining blood sport, but the potential for lasting personal devastation for candidates is real. Candidates aren't led by depressives, as Labour's organising force, Senator Pat Magner, put it in 1997 when the party's candidate, Adi Roche , slipped from first to third in the polls just a few weeks into a shambolic launch. What he meant was campaigns need unabashed optimists. Roche, a political newbie, had only stepped in about six weeks before the election – which suggests that leaving it too late can be as damaging as getting in too early. For two years after the campaign carnage and repeated hits of organised lies and smears against her and her family, Roche – founder of the Chernobyl Children's Project and an idealistic, energetic environmentalist – felt unable to walk down her native city's main street. As she subsequently said: 'I was drowning inside. It destroyed me.' The crazy 2011 campaign, with an unprecedented seven candidates, fought in a deep recession replete with exposés, dropouts and fake Twitter accounts seems like a magic mushroom trip at this distance. At one point Gay Byrne actively considered the Fianna Fáil bait when he was ahead at 28 per cent in a poll of prospective candidates, with Michael D Higgins at 21 per cent. An eternal what-if moment occurred when Seamus Heaney agreed to consider a Fine Gael invitation via Phil Hogan, but decided against unless there was to be an agreed, cross-party candidate. Then Bertie put the hex on Fine Gael's Gay Mitchell by saying he was a shoo-in if the party ran a good campaign, since Fine Gael was on 40 per cent. Then with four days to polling, entrepreneur Seán Gallagher was streaking ahead at 40 per cent in the polls when he was derailed on live TV by rival candidate Martin McGuinness and a fake tweet . Political veteran Higgins, trailing in the mid to high 20s, was there to catch the head-melted voters. Pace the adorable Miggeldy persona, replete with tea cosies and huggable dogs, no cuddly political naif succeeds to the Áras. It is remarkable now to look back and see how Mary McAleese and Mary Robinson , both 46 at inauguration, were said to have 'come from nowhere'. A key point for any plucky 2025 contenders is that this was always a ridiculous suggestion. Both were law professors, barristers and hardened campaign veterans with unsuccessful Dáil runs behind them. By the time Robinson ran for president, she had been a councillor, long-serving senator and renowned senior counsel in profoundly important cases of public interest. By the age of 24, McAleese had been appointed Reid professor of criminal law at Trinity College Dublin and later became the first woman pro-vice chancellor of Queen's University with a stint of current affairs journalism at RTÉ thrown in. When McAleese was accused of being a 'tribal time bomb' and Robinson of having 'a newfound interest in the family' during their campaigns, it was shocking but not surprising. Both were accustomed to smears, lies and dirty tricks. And both served the office with distinction and creativity. In which case it might be argued that all the campaign savagery simply proves that the system works: it's how the self-deluded, the inexperienced and the fantasists are weeded out. But the danger is that the process, much like regular politics, proves too toxic and distasteful for truly interesting candidates, for the what-ifs such as Seamus Heaney or Fintan O'Toole. More than four months to go. There's still time.
The Irish Sun
13-06-2025
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
Irish presidential election 2025 odds: Who's in the running for the Áras?
THE IRISH Presidential election is less than six months away, and the leading players in the race to take over from Michael D. Higgins are becoming a little clearer. Ireland will go to the polls on Tuesday, November 11th, to determine who will be the next occupant of the Áras an Uachtaráin, with Higgins stepping down after completing the maximum two terms. Popular politician Mairead McGuinness has appeared as the frontrunner in the race, but with candidates still to be declared, the likes of Frances Black, Bertie Ahern, and several other prominent figures could shake things up. Of course, the race is likely to receive extra attention this year, with former UFC star Conor McGregor looking to use it to gain some political traction of his own. Who is the most likely to end up in the Áras when all is said and done? Join us in this Irish Presidential election odds and betting guide to find out how the bookies think things are shaping up. Irish presidential election 2025 odds Mairead McGuinness - Frances Black - Sean Kelly - Heather Humphreys - Bertie Ahern - Catherine Connolly - Conor McGregor - Odds are subject to change. Where to bet on the Irish presidential election The current political landscape in Ireland Like most major European countries, Ireland finds itself at a political crossroads right now. The 2024 election saw Like the 2020 election, though, the 2024 one showed that there is a serious appetite for change in the country. Sinn Fein, led by Mary Lou McDonald, finished second again, replicating their 2020 result. Of course, the coalition between the two leading parties all but ensures Sinn Fein will not get anywhere near power. However, this is largely seen as papering over the cracks, with this coalition essentially ignoring the will of many voters in the country. From a Presidential perspective, though, things tend to be a little calmer. Michael D. Higgins has been President since 2011 and has been a popular figure in the country. His popularity was emphasised during the 2018 election, where he cruised to a comfortable 55.8% win in the first round of voting. READ MORE SUN STORIES Who are the contenders for the 2025 Irish presidential election? Let's take a more detailed look at the Mairead McGuinness Mairead McGuinness is the clear frontrunner to succeed Michael Higgins in this year's Irish Presidential election. The Fine Gael politician is one of the most experienced and respected senior officials in Ireland. She has held various positions representing Fine Gael and Ireland in Europe, including being the European Commissioner for Financial Stability, Financial Services, and the Capital Markets Union from 2020 to 2024. Now that she has stepped down from that role, she appears to be the perfect candidate to take over at the Áras. She is currently priced at 3/4 with LeoVegas. ➡️ Frances Black Those looking for a strongly left-leaning choice in this year's Irish election will be glad to see She won a seat in the Seanad as an independent candidate in 2016 and has been outspoken on several important human rights issues. Given the current divide that exists across Europe, some may see her as too divisive a figure, but she is certainly one to watch as the election gets closer. She is available at 6/1 with NetBet. ➡️ Sean Kelly Fine Gael MEP Sean Kelly has said he will decide by the summer whether or not he is going to run for the presidency, but all signs currently point towards him doing so. The former GAA President knows he will be up against it, with Fine Gael never winning the race to the Aras an Uachtaráin. With opinion polls for party leader Simon Harris not looking too strong, it is difficult to imagine he will break that. The bookies, however, do give him an outside chance, with 888 Sport pricing Sean Kelly at 9/1 to be the next Irish President. ➡️ Heather Humphreys Heather Humphreys has, for the time being, She stepped down from politics during last year's general election, saying that 'politicians are human too' and taking some time away from the public eye. The general consensus among the bookies is that she will make a comeback at some point this year, with NetBet pricing her at 9/1. ➡️ Bertie Ahern Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern is another name that has been gaining traction in discussions surrounding this year's presidential election. Ahern returned to politics after an over a decade's hiatus in 2023, sparking speculation that he might be considering a run for Áras. While he has certainly had his ups and downs over the years, he has been one of Ireland's most prominent, best-known, and popular politicians since the 1980s, and could be seen as a bit of a unifying figure in potentially tough times ahead. 888 Sport currently has Bertie Ahern priced at 10/1 to become the next Irish President. ➡️ Catherine Connolly Catherine Connolly, the current TD for Galway West, is another name that has been doing the rounds in the discussion for the next Irish President. Connolly is a well-respected name in Irish politics, having served as an Independent TD for Galway West since 2016. Before entering parliament, she served as Mayor of Galway between 2004 and 2005 and has also previously chaired the Irish Language Committee. She may be seen as a softer, left-leaning candidate compared to Frances Black and could certainly appeal to some moderates. She is available at 10/1 with NetBet. ➡️ Conor McGregor While he is extremely unlikely to even come close to the Áras, Conor McGregor's high-profile claims that he is going to run for President will no doubt dominate the headlines leading up to this year's election. The former UFC star is a divisive figure who will look to ride a wave of populism into power. His strong anti-immigration, pro-Irish stance will be popular with some members of the public, but ultimately, his involvement here is nothing more than a sideshow. ➡️ How might the odds shift between now and November? While there is still time for plenty of twists and turns in the lead-up to the Irish Presidential election in November, these races tend to be a lot less chaotic than some of their European counterparts, or even the Irish general election. Public interest in Presidential elections does not tend to be as rife as it is for general elections. However, the involvement of Conor McGregor, whether he manages to secure a candidacy or not, will no doubt shine a bit more of a spotlight on this year's race. Like any election, there is always the chance that some sort of scandal will shake things up, and there are still debates to go before the event. As such, I recommend monitoring the odds throughout the entire election cycle and be prepared to pounce on big odds shifts, but don't expect the wild ride you might get in other elections. How do Irish presidential elections work? The Irish Presidential election system uses a thorough voting process to ensure the best candidate is elected to the role. To run for presidency, candidates must be nominated by either 20 members of the Oireachtas (parliament) or by at least four local authorities. Once the candidates have been confirmed, nationwide voting occurs using the Single Transferable Vote system. The public votes using a ranking system, selecting their candidates in order of preference. To win the election, a candidate must secure over 50% of the vote. If no candidate achieves this during a round, then the lowest-scoring candidate is removed. Their votes are then distributed to their voters' second choices. This process then continues until a candidate secures more than 50% of the overall vote and is confirmed as the winner. Keeping on top of the Irish presidential race If you want to keep up with all of the twists and turns in this year's Irish Presidential race, be sure to check back in with us at The Sun regularly. We are committed to providing the most in-depth election coverage around, keeping our readers up to speed with the latest polls, debates, odds, and more. About the author James Anderson James Anderson is a Betting & Gaming Writer at The Sun. He is an expert in sports betting and online casinos, and joined the company in November 2020 to work closely with leading bookmakers and online gaming companies to curate content in all areas of sports betting. He previously worked as a Digital Sports Reporter and Head of Live Blogs/Events at the Daily Express and Daily Star, covering football, cricket, snooker, F1 and horse racing. Responsible gambling A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chase their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry, or depressed Problem gambling – Gamble Aware – Help with gambling addiction If you have a problem with gambling, or you know someone who does, help is out there. Extern Problem Gambling is the leading provider of information, treatment, advice, and support for anyone affected by gambling harms across Ireland. Most read in Betting
BreakingNews.ie
30-04-2025
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Harris welcomes election of Mairead McGuinness as vice president of European People's Party
Tánaiste Simon Harris has welcomed the election of Mairead McGuinness as vice-president of the European People's Party (EPP). The EPP Congress took place in Valenica, Spain, where EPP delegates elected a new EPP presidency, including a new party president, 10 vice-presidents, a secretary general, and treasurer. Advertisement The EPP includes 84 parties and partners from 44 countries, the President of the European Commission, the President of the European Parliament, 12 EU heads of state and government, and 13 members of the European Commission. The EPP Group is the largest political group in the European Parliament with 188 Members from all EU Member States. Speaking after the vote, the Tánaiste said: 'I am delighted that Mairead McGuinness has been elected by her colleagues from across Europe to serve as a vice president of the EPP. 'The overwhelming level of support that Mairead received underlines the high regard she is held in across Europe being elected alongside other EU Prime Ministers and EU Commissioners. Advertisement 'Mairead's election is also a vote of confidence in the Fine Gael party. Fine Gael has not held a vice presidency position since the election of Minister Helen McEntee to the role in 2019. "When I was elected leader of Fine Gael last year, I stated that one of my key priorities was increasing Fine Gael's engagement with the EPP and regaining the vice presidency position within the party." 'Mairead will bring a wealth of experience and a respected voice to this role where she will help shape the polices of the biggest political party in Europe.' Following her election, Ms McGuinness said: 'I am very grateful to my EPP colleagues for expressing confidence in me to serve as their vice president. "The EU faces significant uncertainty given current geopolitical instability at present and therefore Ireland's voice at the heart of the EPP has never been more important. 'I want to thank all my colleagues who expressed confidence in me today by electing me to this position. I look forward to beginning my work immediately."
