Sinn Féin backs Catherine Connolly: 'Game-changer' or missed opportunity?
James Cox
Here, we have a look at the topics likely to dominate political discourse in the week to come.
Is Sinn Féin's Catherine Connolly endorsement really a 'game-changer'?
When Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald promised Sinn Féin's decision on the presidential election would be a "game-changer", there was undoubtedly some panic for the Coalition leaders.
After Ms McDonald had ruled herself out, TD Pearse Doherty and GAA president Jarlath Burns appeared to be the frontrunner.
In the end, they decided to back Ms Connolly. She now has the support of Labour, the Social Democrats, Sinn Féin, People Before Profit and a number of independents.
While this is great news for the Galway TD, many have argued it is a bit underwhelming from Sinn Féin.
Both Mr Doherty and Mr Burns would have shaken up the race for Áras an Uachtaráin, and Mr Burns may well have been the favourite.
Sources have suggested there is relief within Government that Sinn Féin did not put a candidate forward.
Speaking on the Path to Power podcast, which he co-hosts with Matt Cooper, former agriculture minister Ivan Yates said Sinn Féin backing Ms Connolly would be a "damp squib" (before the announcement was made on Saturday.
Mr Yates said: "It'll be one of the biggest anti-climaxes in Irish politics and Mary Lou's career. What a damp squib coming out with that when two months ago they could have got in the queue with the Soc Dems and Labour, I don't see that as a game-changer.
"It's a false bluff, it's a damp squib, it's an opt out, an off ramp, that has no credibility in my view."
It was clearly a carefully thought out decision, and Ms McDonald and senior Sinn Féin figures may have identified some positives.
If Ms Connolly does not perform well in the election, the party can distance themselves from the result.
They may also see it as a test of left wing unity as Sinn Féin would be the largest grouping if a coherent left-leaning government coalition ever becomes a realistic possibility.
Minister calls on TDs to 'disagree agreeably'
As the Dáil returns amid recent threats to politicians, a Government minister has said "there is no point in condemning this abuse if we continue to use abusive language".
In an i nterview with BreakingNews.ie, Minister of State Neale Richmond called on his colleagues, both in government and opposition, to find a way to "disagree agreeably" and "tone down the venom" in political debates.
Addressing the recent campaign of abuse against Tánaiste Simon Harris, Mr Richmond condemned the abuse and said the coordinated nature of it was "extremely worrying".
Gardaí have sought Interpol assistance as concerns rise over the recent series of threats made against Mr Harris.
Callers recently phoned into Garda stations claiming there was a bomb at Mr Harris' family home in Greystones, Co Wicklow.
A woman from west Dublin was arrested two weeks ago after allegedly posting a threat to abduct Mr Harris' children.
Mr Richmond, who is Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora, also said it was the role of politicians to tone down abusive language, particularly when tensions are high in Dáil debates.
He said the new term provides an opportunity to debate in a more civil manner, and said labels like 'treason' and 'traitor' should not be used.
"There is no point in politicians condemning this abuse and these attacks if we ourselves continue to use very abusive language that I would argue is below us. That is something I am really focused on in the coming weeks and months, how can we as politicians lead in terms of changing the tone of the debate?
"It is a challenge... I am guilty of it in the past, being a little bit too salty on social media or letting my emotions get to me, where we stray from the political or the policy to the personal."
Gareth Sheridan ends presidential campaign
Businessman Gareth Sheridan has acknowledged the end of his presidential campaign after he failed to receive the backing of Offaly and Meath county councils.
While Mr Sheridan has the support of two local authorities - Kerry and Tipperary - he has now run out of options to secure two more.
Mr Sheridan is due to address Louth County Council this evening, however its support, along with Kerry and Tipperary county councils, would not be enough to contest the election.
He has admitted it is now "mathematically" impossible for him to secure enough support to get on the ballot.
Mr Sheridan, a married father of an almost three-year-old girl, lost out on a nomination from Meath by just one vote.
Speaking to reporters at Offaly County Council, he said: “We tried to offer something different.
“I think diversity on the ballot is important and we tried to offer that.
“Unfortunately it didn’t work out this time – but, you know, no regrets.”
Connolly criticises Starmer's Hamas comments
Presidential candidate Catherine Connolly has said it is not for British prime minister Sir Keir Starmer to decide Hamas’ role in a Palestinian state.
The left-wing independent from Galway was asked about comments by the prime minister, who said on Sunday that Hamas should have “no role in government”.
Mr Starmer made the comments as he announced the UK’s recognition of a Palestinian state, ahead of the UN General Assembly this week and alongside other nations including Australia and Canada.
Ms Connolly, who has been vocal on the issue of Palestine and has criticised the Government for not taking more action against Israel, said that it was up to Palestinians to decide who governs them.
“I don’t think it’s up to Keir Starmer to make that statement at all,” Ms Connolly told BBC Radio Ulster on Monday.
“I come from Ireland, a history of colonisation, and I would be very wary of telling a sovereign people how to run their country.
“The Palestinians must decide, in a democratic way, who they want to lead their country.”
Maria Steen's bid to make the ballot
The presidential election will be a three-horse race between Jim Gavin (Fianna Fáil), Heather Humphreys (Fine Gael) and Independent Catherine Connolly unless Maria Steen can secure a place on the ballot.
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín is rallying support for Ms Steen and claims she has at least 11 Oireachtas members backing her. Minister of State Michael Healy-Rae has said he will also nominate Ms Steen and Independent TD Gillian Toole has said she will do the same.
The candidate is set to meet Independent Ireland members tomorrow to try and secure their backing. Ms Steen needs 20 nominations to get on the ballot.
Abroad
France has become the latest country to recognise Palestinian statehood, with president Emmanuel Macron making the announcement as the United Nations meets in New York.
In the US, all eyes were on a memorial for assassinated political activist Charlie Kirk.
US president Donald Trump praised Charlie Kirk as a “great American hero” and “martyr” for freedom as he and other prominent conservatives gathered on Sunday evening to honour the slain conservative political activist whose work they say they must now advance.
