Catherine Connolly says she would ‘continue to expand’ role of president

By Gráinne Ní Aodha, PA

Catherine Connolly has said she would continue to expand the role of president if she is elected to the office.

Ms Connolly, a left-wing independent TD for Galway, has secured the backing of Labour, the Social Democrats, People Before Profit-Solidarity, and a range of independents.

She said she is hopeful she could win the support of the largest opposition party Sinn Féin, but said on Wednesday that if Sinn Fein do field a candidate, such as its leader Mary Lou McDonald, it would not be “curtains” for her campaign.

“I wouldn’t think so,” she said in an interview with Virgin Media News.

“If Sinn Féin stand a candidate, so be it,” she said, adding that one of her strong points is that she is an independent.

She also criticised Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael’s “delay” in choosing their election nominee.

“I must say, the delay in choosing a candidate by the bigger parties says a lot about their approach to a very important role, protected by the constitution, set out in the constitution.

“So in that sense, the delay and the rhetoric around who they will pick and a Lanigan’s ball type approach, is disrespectful.”

She added that Sinn Féin have said “from day one” that they would “make up their mind” in September, and that it was “not helpful” that Fianna Fáil had not yet set out their position.

Fianna Fáil has yet to formally clarify whether it will run a candidate, with leader and Taoiseach Micheal Martin saying a decision would be made in early autumn.

Two hopefuls have announced their intention to seek Fine Gael’s nomination for president: MEP Sean Kelly and former party deputy leader Heather Humphreys.

Ms Connolly also said Michael D Higgins has been a “courageous” president, particularly when calling for peace in Ukraine and on Palestine, and said she admired former presidents Mary Robinson and Mary McAleese.

“All in their own way have expanded the role of president, albeit within the constitution and within the law, and I would see myself as continuing that tradition and using the role of president to the best of my ability.”

Asked about her support of former MEPs and TDs Mick Wallace and Clare Daly, she said: “I think Mick Wallace and Clare Daly did a great job in the Dail.”

Separate to the major parties, several figures have said they intend to seek the nominations needed to get on the ballot, including Riverdance star Michael Flatley, millionaire entrepreneur Gareth Sheridan, previous presidential candidate Peter Casey, MMA fighter Conor McGregor and independent Nick Delehanty.