Presidential Election 2025

I agree with Catherine Connolly on Gaza but not her opposition to what she calls the growing militarisation of the EU. We spent next to nothing on defence in this country. The first duty of a government is to keep the people safe. And deterrence is part of that. Noone is saying we could defend ourselves say against Russia alone. But as Ukraine as shown, its possible to slow down an enemy long enough for help in some form to arrive.

We are probably not Russia's first target. But we are sitting ducks if there was a NATO-Russia war. We narrowly avoided being dragged into World War 2 but theres no supernatural reason why neutrality would necessarily protect us. Ukraine isnt a member of NATO and that prevented deterrence.

Also as part of the EU should support the security of our fellow member states, especially those who do not have the luxury of being far away from Russia.

These people have just put a label on the trip - 'propaganda' - and that's that.

Connolly's entire career has been about human rights and those innocents caught in wars and conflicts. When you look at the trip in that context it is a different thing.

She has more than proved she is critical of all who cause and take part in those wars/conflicts.

She is not part of any consensus backing those sides who think it weakens their side. Criticism cannot be countenanced and they engage in propaganda of their own.

He's not considering anything and won't get the nomination from anyone either, it was nothing more than a legal ploy for his planning court case because his intention to actually live there was questioned.

If I was HH I would be highly encouraged by that poll. Whether FF runs or not it seems highly likely that Bertie's 14 % will end up in her column, as will the votes for the 'fringe right-wing candidates'…

Not a great Interview in the Indo for connolly today, her refusal to properly engage on several of the hard questions was pretty poor, either her handlers arent prepping her enough or shes naive enough to think she doesnt need them.

Trying to claim by giving O Doherty a nomination in 2018 was not "endorsing" her was pathetic, then she claims to not remember if she was aware of at the time O Doherty's already pretty ridiculous conspiracy orientated claims. She made the same excuse regarding her trip to Syria and "I cant remember" is not gonna be enough to get her past these and other difficult questions she will keep getting asked until she answers adequately.

Personally I think she should just own up and say she shouldn't have nominated O Doherty, own what you did and say you've learned from it instead of trying to pretend it didn't happen

I had to think about who Casey was for a second! 🤔😆

PS that Connolly interview in the Indo is calamitous. I give her 1 point for being consistent, but being herself has already sunk her.

Interestingly Paddy Power have shorter odds on Séan Kelly currently, the internal FG battle may be more fun than the actual election!

Still the questions remain re : FF and SF

1. HH is more FG parliamentary party related than MMcG, so can FF really not now put forward a candidate? Or is it the final acceptance that they, and FG, are the same.

2. If CC is going to take a pounding, like that the Indo gave her, should SF not put forward an imaginative candidate, who may be assumed to get CC transfers (even moreso if FF split HH's presumed vote)? Jarlath Burns would be a decent candidate, seems likeable and more than enough experience dealing with the GAA.

"I cant remember" is not gonna be enough to get her past these and other difficult questions she will keep getting asked

Plus too much of that from someone pushing 70 could be nearly as damaging as the past associations themselves. Being perceived as a 'doddery aul wan' is definitely not a good look for a presidential candidate…

Can you elaborate on her connections?

her father was a member of the Orange Order, while her grandfather, Robert James Stewart, signed the Ulster Covenant opposing Home Rule in 1912

We know all that. She herself is a self-confessed avowed Irish nationalist. Republican even.

Who could you think of to be a better President to herald in the unification era, than a border country protestant with Ulster Unionist heritage?

Our first President, Hyde, was a protestant. Mary Robinson came from a mixed background and married an Anglican.

Many of our greatest patriots were Prods; Parnell, Emmet, Tone.

Its all to the good.

She's the nearest thing FG have to O'Rourke, she's a nice Mammy.

thanks for the straw man. Hope it didn’t take you too long to build it.

I mentioned nothing about her religion - rather her close links with an avowedly sectarian organisation