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TAOISEACH MICHEÁL MARTIN has ruled out running for the presidency this year.
With current President Michael D Higgins due to finish out his second term, a presidential election must be held in 2025.
Asked if he would consider putting his name forward, Martin said:
“No, I will not be running for president.
“I’ve the honour now of being elected as Taoiseach.”
He said his focus is on his work, saying that housing and disability issues are a priority for him.
The commitment he made to people in his Cork South Central constituency that he would represent them for the full Dail term is something he takes seriously, he added.
“Fortunately, the election went well and I’m Taoiseach as well as a TD and that’s a great honour. I will focus on my work as Taoiseach and as a member of this government.
“Housing is the number one issue. Disability is something that, for me, is unfinished business.”
His comments come amid speculation about who Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil might put forward, with talk now that the two parties will not work together to back one person.
It was reported last month that left-leaning parties in the Dáil, including Labour, the Social Democrats and the Greens, may unite to back one candidate in this year’s presidential election.
A number of names have been thrown around for the left-wing contender – Belfast SDLP MP Claire Hanna, left-wing independent MEP Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan, former Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall, Independent Senator Frances Black and also Galway TD Catherine Connolly. Over the weekend, there was speculation that Independent Senator Michael McDowell might throw his hat in the ring.
Thanks. Good news at last from Micheál.
@hans vos: President is now the prize for the looney lefties
@hans vos: if he said it was raining out side Id have to go and check.
@James Brennan: Didn’t he say he wouldn’t go back into power FG again to. Don’t trust him until he’s dead for about 10 yrs
@Tim Brennan: or the thugs on the extreme right that were in White House today
@Tim Brennan: Or looney fighters !
Great news.We’re long enough looking at you getting overpaid for doing nothing like all politicians
Who asked him to run???
@Ollie Fitzpatrick: Himself and his cosy cartel
@Martin Ridge: u should run yourself? I can see you getting loads of votes
The only wise decision this slieveen has made in his long and uneventful career!
@Brian Hunt: AMAZING THE NUMBER OF NON-RUNNERS AND NON-STARTERS WHO PILE IN WITH COMMENTS. THEY SHOULD ALL RUN ON A NEGATIVITY POLICY !
Absolutely fantastic news! By the way……. don’t flatter yourself!
He won’t be running because FF have Bertie in training for the post.
@stephen deegan:
It will take a lot of training
A leopard never changes his spots
Frances Black would be a perfect choice. A voice for the downtrodden and persecuted in a world where empathy and compassion are almost extinct.
@Anthony Curran: Her support for Clare Daly is a No from me.
@Jack Hayes: That wouldn’t help her chances alright!
@Anthony Curran:
No way, vote for her because she’s a Millionaire Singer???
@Liam Byrne: Millionaire??
Thanks god this is the last time we see this slithering snake. But judging by the way that he lies every single time he opens his mouth – i wouldnt be so sure.
@Lei tatt: I wouldn’t get too excited – you’ll continue to see lots of him over the next five years, or so
Arrogant and brass necked.
As useful as wet newspaper.
@Hunt Ley: AMAZING THE NUMBER OF NON-RUNNERS AND NON-STARTERS WHO PILE IN WITH COMMENTS. THEY SHOULD ALL RUN ON A NEGATIVITY POLICY !
Self centered egotistical men in suits robbing Ireland all on hugh salaries just for showing up.
Are we ever going to be rid of these entitled and useless self-serving con men and women this country has to be up there with most corrupt political systems in the world he even joked about the housing crisis in ireland as being a good problem to have it just shows the mentality of this cosy cartel.
He also said he’d abolish the USC. How’s that going?
@Ciaran O Donoghue: the Govt under MM should reduce USC this supposedly was an emergency measure to be abolished..oh what about the inequality imposed for the purchase of cars here versus the rest of Europe, the prices need to come down.
@Scott Milne: the government of the day sought and obtained a waiver to keep the duties on cars which was far higher than the rest of Europe this was revealed but only after this carrot was dangled to get us to join the eec. Like all political promises, they reneged on it after the vote was passed, still occurs today, usc, housing figures….
Thank god for that ya wouldn’t run a bath
@daz Carroll: AMAZING THE NUMBER OF NON-RUNNERS AND NON-STARTERS WHO PILE IN WITH COMMENTS. THEY SHOULD ALL RUN ON A NEGATIVITY POLICY !
Anyone but Aherne
I hope Michael McDowell officially decides to run for President soon. He’s the best choice for the role and he was arguably the best Justice Minister that we’ve had in Irish history when he held the role from 2002 to 2007. I’m not surprised that Micheal Martin isn’t putting his hat in the ring. He’s extremely unpopular as a politician and no one would actually vote for him apart from his constituents. The only other likely candidates seem to be the crook Bertie Ahern, the criminal Conor McGregor and then the other far-left radical extremists like Frances Black and Catherine Connolly, who are Islamist apologists who support Hamas and backed Bashar Al-Assad before he got toppled. McDowell is the clear choice and he will be getting my vote to bring common sense and decency back to the office.
Can’t even organise a p**s up in a brewery no way I could listen to him as a president, concerned , lessons will be learned and bla bla good riddance
An excellent President would be Michael O’Leary – Ryanair CEO , he’d make sure everything was done to its budget and he possibly would be more fairer to the Irish citizens and our British friends In Ulster because we are certainly being treated like @pes by this government by giving our hard earned money over to Ukraine when the 2 men in the Kremlin and the White House are going to economically destroy Ukraine by carving it up and we Irish won’t see a single dime back.
@Tommy: you don’t understand the role of Uachtarán na hÉireann.
@Tommy: back to school for your grammar and your understanding of Irish law and politics
SF following out in force with their scurrilous remarks. One trying to outdo the others. Micheál Martin is head and shoulders above anyone SF can offer as a candidate.
@Vincent Alexander: Would you ever get over yourself ffs. Every political party in the country is mentioned in the article except SF until you bring them up in the comments. Neither you nor I nor anyone knows how SF would do in government because of the likes of you. To afraid to try change.
@Paul Harte: Not afraid of change but would be afraid of a SF government. The cvs of some of them on the Árd Comhairle (formerly known as the Army Council) leave a lot to be desired. Their performance in the North where they are in power is far from impressive. Westminster holding the purse strings or power sharing with the DUP are only excuses.
@Vincent Alexander: So, as I said, afraid of change .
@Paul Harte: That’s your argument for sf
Ml lowry for president
@Tony McGrath: Aras an Uachtarain is big enough . No extension needed .
@The Rossie: …. there’s always room for an extension!
@Tony McGrath: Another con man that has gotten enough for nothing
@Brian Hunt: Ok , just the one . After that it’s Dunne and dusted .
Let him run stick him in the park.
Sure you can continue wrecking Ireland faster where you are,than President,why were comments closed about Conor McGregor telling the truth about the downfall of Ireland under Martin and the political cohorts,Harris doesn’t speak for me either,will he be arrested when he comes home for telling the truth like Enoch Burke
Connor McGregor should run ! The people of Ireland voice should be heard ! I’m pretty sure 4 million + would agree with him after his white house visit.
We won’t relax just yet , he has a habit of changing his mind on many occasions, an example is Lowry is now a sound guy , whereas a few years back he was a pariah . Wouldn’t believe a word out of his mouth.
He should run for president of Palestine,he does trogan work for them and foists more migraines on the Irish people.
Housing has been the #1 issue for quite some time now…….
Best thing ever came out of that mouth!! Let’s hope for once its the truth!!
Berti would be peeved if mehole ran. Neither one is man enough for the job anyway
Sure he won’t get in his mate Bertie’s way.
‘We’re leaving that to Bertie’ he added.
So to all the “commentators” on here.. who do you want to be the next President?
@Chris Foley: McGregor
@Chris Foley: Someone from SF or Michael O’Leary (Ryanair)
AMAZING THE NUMBER OF NON-RUNNERS AND NON-STARTERS WHO PILE IN WITH COMMENTS. THEY SHOULD ALL RUN ON A NEGATIVITY POLICY !
have your say