Independent Galway West TD, Catherine Connolly, has formally announced her intention to become Ireland’s next president.
She is the first candidate to clearly emerge, aiming to takeover from Galway’s Michael D Higgins in November, although fellow Galwegians Maire Geoghegan Quinn and Declan Ganley are expected to seek nominations.
Speaking to the Advertiser, Connolly said she was not fearful of a summer of scrutiny, and would have declared even earlier, except the barrister and clinical psychologist had to “face her own doubts, and that took some time. I think it is important to let people know my intentions, and let the process begin of scrutiny, and interviews, and answer any questions I have to.”
“It was the people who work with me who made me read the messages from ordinary people who wanted me to run for president. It was overwhelming. I remember an 86-year-old woman from [Dublin] wrote to us, and that effort of picking up a pen and page stays with me. I go with humility, and hope.”
In terms of the intense scrutiny expected in an always very personalised presidential campaign every seven years, Connolly says she is “an open book” although the married mother of two, herself one of 14 siblings, one of whom, Colette, is also a former city councillor, says her family is out of bounds.
“I think I have a duty to be open and accountable. I do have a problem with my family being involved; they didn’t stand for election, and they deserve their privacy. I have a red line about that,” she says.
“I might have said things people don’t agree with, but I was elected to serve,” she says, adding that Article 12.8 of the Constitution appeals to her, setting out the president’s oath: dedicating his/her abilities ‘to the service and welfare of the people of Ireland’.”
Asked repeatedly if she has had any contact with outgoing president Michael D Higgins over the past 14 years of his presidency, she answered everything except ‘no’.
“I think Michael D is very courageous, and he has spoken out on a number of issues. [Over the past 14 years] I wouldn’t have had much interaction with Michael, and I respect his role.” Asked whether they have even exchanged small talk at state events, Connolly responded, “I wouldn’t see him that way. I go to work in the Dáil, and then I go home.”
Connolly, 68, previously a Labour Party member on Galway City Council, left that party after failing to become Michael D’s running mate in the 2007 general election.
The Labour Party will publicly reveal whether it will endorse Deputy Connolly’s campaign next week, but the Shantalla native and Claddagh resident claims she already has “way beyond” the 20 pledges from Oireachtas members constitutionally required for a nomination, and the former Leas-Cheann Comhairle expects more in coming days.
