Catherine Connolly sets out her vision for the presidency

Michael Bolton

While there are still many uncertainties surrounding the presidential election, one politician who has made their candidacy clear for some time is Catherine Connolly.

The Independent Galway TD has been campaigning since July, having gained the support of People Before Profit, the Social Democrats and Labour.

She told BreakingNews.ie that over the last 18 months, members of the public called for her to stand in the election.

"It took months, it took quite a long time for me to make up my mind," Ms Connolly said.

"I was prevailed upon to look at all the messages that kept coming in for a year and a half prior to me making the announcement. By email, by phone, and people putting pen to paper.

"We kept them all. Eventually, I sat down and looked at those messages; they spelt out what they saw in me.

"All the big parties delaying, and commentary that was disrespectful; I think the media were disrespectful to the role. We should be discussing that in a serious manner; that was the tipping point for me.

"The important thing in this election is that the people decide. They don't decide who the Taoiseach is, they don't decide who the Tánaiste is, this is the only time they get a voice."

A TD in Galway since 2016, Ms Connolly has many years of political experience behind her, having been a councillor for 17 years from 1999, before becoming a TD. She was also the mayor of Galway.

She has spoken out in solidarity for Palestine, while being critical of the Government's calls to remove the Triple Lock, and critical of the Government's housing policies.

Ms Connolly's stance on these issues is often seen as similar to that of the current President, Michael D Higgins, whom she has called "courageous" during his 14 years in office.

"The last Presidents have all been excellent. They have all sought to explore how they can use their voice to serve the people of Ireland; all three have done that in different ways.

"Michael D Higgins, for the last 14 years, has been very courageous in my opinion. He has been most courageous in speaking out against the genocide in Gaza, the importance of this country using every diplomatic tool to stop wars, no matter where they are happening.

"I think he has been very courageous and quite measured."

Ms Connolly's life has seen her work as a barrister and a clinical psychologist.

While not coming from a family of politicians, the Galway TD says politics influenced her life from an early age.

Having come from a large family, she has seen how the importance of family can shape someone.

"I think the most formative influence on me was my house: my father, my mother, and my siblings. I learned everything that I am at home.

"What education gave me was the ability to articulate what I learned. What education gave me was the ability to say I don't know, but I will check it out.

"Politics infused my house, even though it wasn't a political family. That politics infused our house in terms of social justice, but we didn't label it politics.

"We just grew up with that sense of social justice, and that has stayed with me all my life.

"My mother died when I was young. You didn't think, you just did what you had to do. Life-long learning was not installed in us by words, but by watching my father grab every opportunity to read, even though he was working and doing everything possible for 14 children."

Through her family experience, the opportunity for education is key for Ms Connolly, and she says she would promote this issue strongly if she were to become president.

"If I had another theme in the presidency, it would be adult literacy. It would be championing those who do not have the gift of being able to read and write, through no fault of their own.

"From my own family, I know two sisters in succession were minding us; they didn't get the opportunity to go to college, but they subsequently went back to college.

"My brother, who started out as a carpenter, went back and did an open university. All 14 love learning, and if I were to be an example as a president, it would be to encourage, enable, and empower them to be the power of learning and its importance."