Social Democrats to back Catherine Connolly's presidential bid, says Cork TD

The Social Democrats will back Independent TD Catherine Connolly for president, Cork TD Pádraig Rice has said.

Ms Connolly has been a TD for the Galway West constituency since 2016, and was the first woman to serve as Leas Cean Comhairle in the previous Dáil.

She currently sits in a technical group with the three members of People Before Profit ° Solidarity; the Green party’s Roderic O’Gorman; former Sinn Féin Independent TD Brian Stanley; 100% Redress’ Charles Ward, and Tipperary Independent Séamus Healy.

She announced on Friday that she would be formally launching her campaign next week for the presidency, saying she has support from the Social Democrats, People Before Profit, and Solidarity, as well as a number of senators and others, so will be able to secure at least the requisite 20 Oireachtas nominations.

Impressive

Mr Rice told The Echo: “I’m absolutely delighted to be in a position to nominate deputy Catherine Connolly TD to be the next President of Ireland.

“She has the skills, qualities and experience to be a brilliant president and a great successor to President Michael D. Higgins. She was a very impressive Leas Ceann Comhairle and is a formidable TD. She’s a lawyer, a gaeilgeoir and a tireless champion for those on the margins of Irish society.”

Labour and Sinn Féin, meanwhile, have been in discussions around backing a left wing candidate rather than running their own.

Speaking to The Echo, Cork Labour TD Eoghan Kenny said over recent months party Leader Ivana Bacik had been engaging with prospective presidential candidates, leading the process to secure a common left candidate. he added: “The Labour Party are keen to ensure a candidate will be elected to continue President Michael D. Higgins’s proud legacy, and who will share his vision and values.”

He said that Ms Bacik had contacted Ms Connolly, saying: “On Tuesday, July 8, the Labour Parliamentary Party agreed to embark on a consultative process with our members to ascertain their views on how we proceed going into the presidential election. 

"We must honour that process. Along with this, the parliamentary party has invited Catherine Connolly to speak with us next Tuesday and she has accepted that invite.”

Decision

Cork Sinn Féin TD Thomas Gould confirmed that the party is also undertaking an internal evaluation

“Our party is still working its way through our process and we will make our decision when it concludes,” he said.

Green Party Cork city councillor Oliver Moran told The Echo: “As of now, the Green Party has not been formally approached regarding Catherine Connolly’s presidential bid. However, we are open to discussions and would consider any approach seriously.

“We believe it is important to have a thoughtful and inclusive conversation about who will best represent the values of the Green Party and country as a whole.

“For my own part, I see deputy Connolly as someone who has stood for the values of social and ecological justice in the past. There will be a special meeting of whips on Cork City Council at the end of the month about endorsing candidates through the local authority nomination process too.

“Whoever the next president is, I think it’s important they are able to represent our values as a State and do so well.”