Former Fine Gael minister Heather Humphreys has said she wants to be president because she believes it is a role that unites people and represents people on the island of Ireland, no matter where they come from.
Speaking on Newstalk Breakfast, she said: “We’re living in a very divisive world and I believe that the president can be a unifying force in this country to bring people together. I’ve always sought to break down barriers and reach out the hand of friendship.”
Yesterday, Ms Humphreys was confirmed as the sole nominee for Fine Gael to contest the upcoming Presidential Election, which is set to take place on 24 October.
She said there must be a return to a sense of community and building bridges which will be the focus of her campaign.
I will not be a Fine Gael president, she said, but a president for all people on this island.
She pointed out that President Michael D Higgins has also been a minister, an experience she said that stood to him during his presidency.
I would ask people to judge me on my record, she said, whether that was supporting businesses or rolling out initiatives such as hot school meals.
Ms Humphreys added that she was raised as a Presbyterian on a farm six miles from the border and understands what it is like to live in that area.
“I’m old enough to remember what it was like during the Troubles,” she said, and when parents told you to keep your head down and keep quiet.
“Thankfully the violence is gone but we still need to work on peace,” she added.
She said she feels that she is uniquely placed, as a proud Ulster, Irish and Republican woman, to reach out to communities in Northern Ireland and build on existing relationships.
“It’s only when we have a united people that we can have a united Ireland.”
I think we can have conversations about a united Ireland, she said, but we need to reach out to communities in order for this to happen and I think the President could facilitate this.
Read More:
Taoiseach backs Jim Gavin’s FF presidential candidate bid
Parklife: Jim Gavin versus the previous inhabitants of Áras an Uachtaráin
She said that if her bid to become President of Ireland is successful, she would operate within the constitutional limits of the role.
If there was an issue I felt I should speak out on, I would do so, she said, but I would not breach the constitutional limits of the President’s role.
“There is no point in people promising to sort problems in this country during this campaign because that is not the job of the President,” she said.
If elected, Ms Humphreys said she would follow the example set by President Michael D Higgins and accept the salary of the President but gift her ministerial pension to the State.
Election set for 24 October, nominations must be received by 24 September
It comes as Minister for Housing and Local Government James Browne made the order appointing polling day on 24 October.
Mr Browne signed the order at the Customs House this afternoon.
Polling hours will be 7am to 10pm on Friday, 24 October.
Nomination papers for candidates can be delivered to the presidential returning officer from 10am this Friday, 5 September.
The window for nominations is open for 20 days.
Nominations must be received by midday on 24 September.
Around 3.6 million Irish citizens aged 18 and over who are ordinarily resident in the State can vote in the election.
Voters can go online at checktheregister.ie.
Anyone hoping to apply for a postal or special vote must submit their applications with their local authority by 29 September.
Presidency does not belong to any political party – Taoiseach
Taoiseach and Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has said there are some voices “distorting the reality” around Fianna Fáil’s path to nominating a presidential candidate.
He said his focus is about making “the best contribution” to the presidency, adding that it does not belong to any political party.
“This is about the presidency. It is not about Fianna Fáil. Some within the party comment as if it’s all about Fianna Fáil. It is not.”
He said in his view they have sought to seek out a person who can bring people together, command the broadest degree of support and someone who is “of strong character” and who “is very much rooted in the community”.
He said former Dublin GAA football manager Jim Gavin “fits that criteria” while adding that the other contender for the party’s nomination, his Fianna Fáil colleague Billy Kelleher is “a very fine parliamentarian” and has worked hard in the Dáil and European Parliament.
Mr Martin also rejected any criticism from senior Fianna Fáil figures including Mary Hanafin about his communication to them around potential candidates.
“This was actually well handled…they all get it… there is no issue. Most people accept fully how this is being progressed.”
He said there were many expressions of interest from “lots of people” seeking the Fianna Fáil nomination over recent months.
Minister James Lawless said having a contest to decide on the party’s candidate is “healthy” and it can result in the strongest candidate being put forward.
He said he will be supporting Jim Gavin “strongly”.
He also said anyone who puts their name forward seeking a nomination should be treated respectfully.
Additional reporting Karen Creed, Juliette Gash