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RTÉ News
15 hours ago
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Expect race for Ireland's next president to be a sprint, not a marathon
When it comes to the race to elect what our Constitution describes as the person "who shall take precedence over all other persons in the State", expect a sprint rather than a marathon. It seems pretty clear now that the political calculation at Leinster House - across most parties - is that a summer Presidential campaign is not in their interests. Back in 2011, then Independent candidate and long-standing Senator David Norris was out-of-the-traps as early as March. Fourteen years later, voters probably won't know the first definitive candidate until July and the full slate until September. Why will it take so long to get a definitive candidate? The fact is that while the office of President is a substantial one, its constitutional power is limited to such dry matters as assessing whether or not legislation should be referred to the Supreme Court. Accordingly, previous races for the Áras have been more about the candidate rather than any policy which they may seek to advance. Such campaigns have ranged from personalised and bruising to brutal. This could explain why it is only now that the Taoiseach and Fianna Fáil leader is taking "soundings" on possible candidates, adding that it will be August before matters are finalised. Candidates might be "wary", Micheál Martin suggested. In such a political vacuum, it's not surprising that new names of possible Fianna Fáil candidates continue to pop up - the latest being former SDLP leader, Colum Eastwood. The cautious approach being adopted by the Taoiseach is echoed by the Tánaiste and Fine Gael leader, Simon Harris. He suggested to RTÉ's Today with Claire Byrne that while the presidency is a prestigious role, the gruelling nature of the campaign is unpalatable. Fine Gael's nominations are slated to close in mid-July. Former EU Commissioner Mairéad McGuinness and current Ireland South MEP Seán Kelly are regularly mentioned as Fine Gael candidates. Party sources suggest that whoever is the winner, it's unlikely their campaign will be in full tilt until the following month. For its part, Sinn Féin is consulting with its membership about whether to contest the election alone or join a left alliance. It has the electoral numbers to nominate its own candidate, with Belfast lawyer and MP John Finucane often being talked about. Alternatively, Sinn Féin could opt to join forces with Labour, the Social Democrats, and Greens to nominate a candidate, Senator Frances Black and Deputy Catherine Connolly have both been suggested. Independent presidential candidates have had impactful campaigns in the past, for example Seán Gallagher, Peter Casey, and Dana Rosemary Scallon. However, the method they used to land their nominations - securing the backing of four local authorities - will be a more difficult task this time out. The three big beasts of Irish politics - Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Sinn Féin - are highly unlikely to give the nod to either of the two candidates who've declared so far: Peter Casey and the former MMA athlete Conor McGregor. As it stands, the presidential campaign will not get into full swing until late August. And then it's only a matter of weeks before the electorate has to decide who will be Ireland's 10th Úachtarán na hÉireann.
Irish Times
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
Is Conor McGregor really the only person who wants to be President of Ireland?
The election for the next President of Ireland must take place before November 11th. It's June, so where is the list of Áras hopefuls? It's a job with status and prestige, a place in history, a large salary and a list of perks that includes generous expenses and fine accommodation in the Phoenix Park. None of the political parties have put forward a candidate – yet. And some might not bother. The way the system works is that a candidate nominated by a political party goes straight on the ballot paper. For independents, it's more complex. They must present themselves before county councillors, make their case and persuade four local authorities to allow them to run. READ MORE As of now two independents have declared their intention to run, MMA fighter Conor McGregor and former candidate and businessman Peter Casey. They have yet to get local authority approval. So what is the job of President of Ireland and why, with just months to the election, are there no declared candidates from the political parties? When can we expect the race to get going and what qualities make for an ideal president? Harry McGee from the Irish Times political team, explains. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan.
Irish Times
26-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Parties' selection of candidates for Presidential election becoming a late late show
By the end of May 1990, Mary Robinson had already been endorsed as the formal Labour and Workers' Party candidate for the presidential election in November of that year. By contrast, coming into the last week of May 2025, just two independent candidates have declared they will seek to contest this year's November election: the Donegal businessman Peter Casey and the MMA fighter Conor McGregor. While many names have been bandied around, political parties are only entering the foothills of their preparations. There has been a lot of shadowboxing and speculation, but little real movement so farto begin the process of choosing preferred candidates. The pattern of when presidential candidates are announced is not consistent. In 1997, the identities of all six candidates were not revealed until late September. When Robinson stood in 1990, the Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael candidates, Brian Lenihan and Austin Currie, were not put forward until mid-September. READ MORE In 2011, the last presidential election where an incumbent wasn't a candidate, most of the runners declared early. David Norris, the early favourite, announced his candidacy that January. The eventual winner, Michael D Higgins, was officially endorsed by Labour in June; Fine Gael's Gay Mitchell in July. By then, two Independent candidates, Mary Davis and Seán Gallagher, had also declared. Bertie Ahern and former minister Mary Hanafin have been mentioned, but colleagues are concerned about their association with the era of economic collapse What is evident this year is that the bigger parties are holding back. It looks very much like it could be late summer or September when they, and a combination of parties on the left, finalise their candidates. Part of the waiting game is strategic. 'If we are running a candidate, we should not aim to have everything ready to go until early September,' says a senior Fianna Fáil source. The other reason for tarrying is intrinsic to what the Fianna Fáiler has just said. The question the party has to put to itself is whether or not it runs a candidate at all. The last time there was an official Fianna Fáil candidate was 28 years ago in 1997, when Mary McAleese was its candidate. Sinn Féin faces the same quandary for different reasons. It had a dismal presidential election campaign in 2018, with its candidate Liadh Ní Riada receiving only 6.4 per cent of the vote, well below her party's support levels. Richard Moore is a political communications adviser with direct experience of two presidential campaigns, those of Gay Mitchell in 2011 and Gavin Duffy in 2018. He says the first crucial decision for all the parties is whether they will even go to the starting line. 'Will the party be willing to run a candidate and burn €500,000 on a campaign? There's a risk there unless they are satisfied that their candidate will outperform the party's support (levels),' he says. At this moment, only one party, Fine Gael, is certain to run its own candidate. Its executive council said this week that it will 'decide in the coming weeks the timeline and process for the selection of a Fine Gael candidate for the forthcoming presidential election'. The names of two prominent party members – Mairéad McGuinness and Seán Kelly – are frequently mentioned. Party grandee Heather Humphreys this week announced she will not put her name forward. The probable candidate is the former EU Commissioner McGuinness, who also sought a nomination in 2011. And what of Fianna Fáil? When you speak to its TDs, there are mixed views. Some point to the lack of an obvious candidate. 'I don't think there is any benefit in us contesting the election,' says one Minister of State bluntly. Theirs is a minority view, however. Another TD argued that Fianna Fáil, as the largest party, should run a candidate, but that finding one will be difficult. There are many nuances. The electorate can switch very quickly to another candidate if you say something that is controversial or make a mistake Former taoiseach Bertie Ahern and former minister Mary Hanafin have been mentioned, but colleagues are concerned about their association with the era of economic collapse, which caused huge reputational damage to the party. Either could face uncomfortable questioning during a campaign that is often fractious and quite personalised. Former ceann comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl, who is respected across party lines, has been mentioned but he quickly dismissed the prospect. 'Not in a million years, not under any circumstances,' he said. 'It's for not me. It's not where I want to be.' So where should Fianna Fáil go? Ó Fearghaíl expresses a view that is shared by many of his colleagues: 'I do think the party should run a candidate, but it may need to look outside the fold to find somebody.' That somebody would not be the Fine Gael candidate, whoever emerges. 'We can't ask our supporters to vote for Fine Gael,' said a Dublin Fianna Fáil TD. 'I just don't see many of them voting that way in the first instance.' But as yet, no high-profile person has yet been identified or targeted by the party. An outside candidate is the route down which Sinn Féin might ultimately go. It has been seeking internal feedback this month, with a letter sent to the membership asking them to become involved in a process that would 'help inform the leadership on the proposed route forward in relation to the upcoming Presidential Election'. Earlier this year, the party's MP for North Belfast, John Finucane, was mentioned as a possibility, but the party seems to have cooled on that idea. Sinn Féin has been involved in talks with the Social Democrats, Labour, People Before Profit and the Green Party on exploring a possible consensus left-wing candidate. Several names have been mentioned: Senator Frances Black, SDLP leader Claire Hanna and Independent TD Catherine Connolly. In mid-May, Dr Mike Ryan, former deputy director of the World Health Organisation, became the latest well-known figure to be targeted by political parties for a potential presidential run. It is understood he has not been approached and has not considered the question as he is taking some time off. Another potential big-beast candidate, Independent Senator Michael McDowell, has ruled himself out. The former minister for justice told The Irish Times: 'I'm not going to run.' He said he has come to the conclusion that the Upper House is the place where he could most usefully serve. For Moore, the election is never about parties, or policies, or issues, it's about the qualities that mark out the best candidate. 'The tribal loyalty towards parties is well and truly shot,' he says. 'My own view is that it ended with Brian Lenihan in 1990 (when the Fianna Fáil candidate was caught out in a lie that put paid to his campaign, over his attempt to persuade president Patrick Hillery not to dissolve the Dáil back in 1982). 'The Irish electorate is sophisticated and understands politics. They want somebody as President who will be presentable and not let the country down. 'The candidate has to be authentic and genuine and be able to show their qualities in the heat of the battle and under fierce media scrutiny.' Will the party be willing to run a candidate and burn €500,000 on a campaign? There's a risk there unless they are satisfied that their candidate will outperform the party's support There are a litany of candidates who started off as favourites and became also-rans during the course of bruising and intrusive campaigns: Brian Lenihan, Adi Roche, Mary Davis, David Norris and Seán Gallagher. 'On the face of it, it looks like a simple election,' adds Moore. 'There are many nuances. The electorate can switch very quickly to another candidate if you say something that is controversial or make a mistake. 'It's a much more difficult election than a general election in my view.' There is no hard and fast rule on the optimum time to declare. Several interviewees remarked that the name of the next President has not even entered the public domain yet. For observers like Moore, however, that should take place sooner rather than later. 'In September, you run the risk of leaving it too late unless you have a superstar. Sure, the campaign will be short and sharp for all candidates, but you need to have a profile established before that,' he says.
The 42
16-05-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Hannon back on bench for Limerick, Tipp and Waterford unveil starting sides
LIMERICK HAVE BROUGHT Declan Hannon, Peter Casey, and Barry Murphy back into their squad for Sunday's Munster championship tie against Cork. The trio have been named on the bench by manager John Kiely, having not featured in the last round win over Waterford. The Limerick side that started that success against the Deise is again named in the starting fifteen here. Throw-in at TUS Gaelic Grounds on Sunday is 4pm, with live coverage on RTÉ 2. Waterford have made two changes for their game against Tipperary with Gavin Fives coming in at wingback and Michael Kiely selected at full-forward. Patrick Curran and Patrick Fitzgerald are named amongst the subs. Tipperary have drafted in Willie Connors at midfield in the only change from last Saturday's victory over Clare in Ennis. He replaces Alan Tynan, who is not selected in the squad, while U20 star Darragh McCarthy, suspended last weekend, is back amongst the replacements. Throw-in at FBD Semple Stadium on Sunday is 2pm, with live coverage on RTÉ 2. John Kiely and his management team has announced their Limerick Senior hurling team and match panel for their round 4 Munster Senior Hurling Championship game: The Limerick Hurling team to take on Cork this Sunday afternoon in TUS Gaelic Grounds at 4pm is Announced — Limerick GAA (@LimerickCLG) May 16, 2025 🚨TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT🚨@MunsterGAA Senior Hurling Championship Round 4 🗓️Sunday 18th May @ 2PM 🏟️FBD Semple Stadium, Thurles 🥎Waterford v Tipperary 🎟️ Best of luck to the team and management. — Waterford GAA (@WaterfordGAA) May 16, 2025 Limerick 1. Nickie Quaid (Effin) Advertisement 2. Sean Finn (Bruff), 3. Dan Morrissey (Ahane), 4. Mike Casey (Na Piarsaigh) 5. Diarmaid Byrnes (Patrickswell), 6. Kyle Hayes (Kildimo-Pallaskenry), 7. Barry Nash (South Liberties) 8. Adam English (Doon), 9. William O'Donoghue (Na Piarsaigh) 10. Gearóid Hegarty (St Patrick's), 11. Cian Lynch (Patrickswell – captain), 12. Tom Morrissey (Ahane) 13. Aaron Gillane (Patrickswell), 14. Shane O'Brien (Kilmallock), 15. David Reidy (Dromin-Athlacca) Subs 16. Shane Dowling (Na Piarsaigh) 17. Peter Casey (Na Piarsaigh) 18. Colin Coughlan (Ballybrown) 19. Seamus Flanagan (Feohanagh-Castlemahon) 20. Declan Hannon (Adare) 21. Barry Murphy (Doon) 22. Aidan O'Connor (Ballybrown) 23. Fergal O'Connor (Effin) 24. Darragh O'Donovan (Doon) 25. Paddy O'Donovan (Effin) 26. Cathal O'Neill (Crecora-Manister) ****** Tipperary 1. Rhys Shelly (Moycarkey-Borris) 2. Robert Doyle (Clonoulty-Rossmore), 3. Eoghan Connolly (Cashel King Cormacs), 4. Michael Breen (Ballina), 5. Sam O'Farrell (Nenagh Éire Óg), 6. Ronan Maher (Thurles Sarsfields – captain), 7. Bryan O'Mara (Holycross-Ballycahill) 8. Willie Connors (Kiladangan), 9. Craig Morgan (Kilruane MacDonaghs) 10. Conor Stakelum (Thurles Sarsfields), 11. Andrew Ormond (JK Brackens), 12. Noel McGrath (Loughmore-Castleiney) 13. Jake Morris (Nenagh Éire Óg), 14. John McGrath (Loughmore-Castleiney), 15. Jason Forde (Silvermines) Subs 16. Barry Hogan (Kiladangan) 17. Joe Caesar (Holycross-Ballycahill) 18 Sean Kenneally (Moneygall) 19. Seamus Kennedy (St Mary's Clonmel) 20. Darragh McCarthy (Toomevara) 21. Peter McGarry (St Mary's Clonmel) 22. Brian McGrath (Loughmore-Castleiney) 23. Oisin O'Donoghue (Cashel King Cormacs) 24. Johnny Ryan (Arravale Rovers) 25. Darragh Stakelum (Thurles Sarsfields) 26. Billy Seymour (Kiladangan) ****** Waterford 1. Billy Nolan (Roanmore) 2. Ian Kenny (Ballygunner), 3. Conor Prunty (Abbeyside-Ballinacourty), 4. Iarlaith Daly (Lismore) 5. Mark Fitzgerald (Passage), 6. Tadhg De Burca (Clashmore-Kinsalebeg), 7. Gavin Fives (Affane-Cappoquin-Tourin) 8. Paddy Leavey (Ballygunner), 9. Darragh Lyons (Dungarvan) 10. Stephen Bennett (Ballysaggart), 13. Kevin Mahony (Ballygunner), 12. Jamie Barron (Fourmilewater) 13. Jack Prendergast (Lismore), 14. Michael Kiely (Abbeyside-Ballinacourty), 15. Dessie Hutchinson (Ballygunner – captain) Subs 16. Shaun O'Brien (De La Salle) 17. Patrick Curran (Dungarvan) 18. Shane Bennett (Ballysaggart) 19. Tom Barron (Fourmilewater) 20. Patrick Fitzgerald (Ballygunner) 21. Conor Sheahan (Ballygunner) 22. Sean Walsh (Fourmilewater) 23. Austin Gleeson (Mount Sion) 24. Kieran Bennett (Ballysaggart) 25. Padraig Fitzgerald (Kilrossanty) 26. Reuben Halloran (De La Salle) ****
