Independent TDs Noel Grealish and Seán Canney have publicly voiced their backing for Heather Humphreys, should she decide to run for the presidency, reports RTE.
Mr Grealish, currently serving as Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, praised Ms Humphreys as a highly capable presidential candidate with extensive experience and broad respect from members of the Dáil.
“Heather was a vastly experienced Minister at cabinet, having served in a number of different portfolios and representing the interests of all Irish people. She was very well regarded by TDs across all political parties and she would appeal to a broad base of voters,” said Minister Grealish, reports RTE.
“Heather has an in-depth knowledge of the Constitution and the role of President and she would represent our country with distinction both at home and abroad if she were to be elected as President of Ireland,” reports RTE.
Minister of State for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports, and Cabinet Leader for Independent Ministers, Seán Canney, said Ms Humphreys would make a “very good candidate if she were to go forward”.
“It is something that I would hope she would consider favourably,” he said, reports RTE.
“She has all the qualities necessary, and would be a good representative for the country. She has a good understanding of the issues in rural Ireland, she gets it. She is that type of a person,” reports RTE.
Minister Canney added: “She would bring a lot of people together, she knows how to handle a crisis and she knows how to handle constitutional issues. She knows how to bring people with her. A unifying figure in the country, she would very much fit into that.”
Independent TD Michael Healy-Rae also expressed his full support for Fine Gael’s Heather Humphreys in the presidential race yesterday.
He said Ms Humphreys would be an “excellent candidate”, following the unexpected withdrawal of Mairead McGuinness, reports RTE.
Although Ms Humphreys stepped away from politics last year to focus on her family, reports suggest she may now be weighing her options.
Back in May, she ruled herself out of the presidential race, saying she had given it serious thought but preferred to dedicate time to family, friends, and other pursuits.
Elsewhere, MEP Seán Kelly has indicated that he will “most likely reconsider” his potential entry into the race after Mairead McGuinness stepped down, reports RTE.
This follows the announcement from former Fine Gael MEP Frances Fitzgerald, who confirmed she would not be contesting for the party in the upcoming presidential election.
The ex-justice minister said that even after Ms McGuinness’ decision, her stance on running remained unchanged.
Ms McGuinness cited health reasons for her decision to withdraw from the race, reports RTE.
Fine Gael’s Executive Council is expected to convene in the coming days to chart its next steps.
There is growing anticipation that the party will put forward a new nominee.
One former minister stated that Fine Gael should definitely field another candidate, while another described it as “likely, but not certain,” reports RTE.
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