Independent presidential hopeful Catherine Connolly has referred to the United States as an “imperial power” and claimed it is playing a role in current global instability, reports RTE.
“We have a very volatile situation in the world. We have imperial powers. America is one of those imperial powers. As a neutral country we have a duty [to] use our neutrality to call out the abuse of power, no matter where that is, whether by Russia or America,” she stated.
Ms Connolly was questioned about comments she made at UCD the previous evening, where she compared Germany’s rising military expenditure today to its rearmament in the 1930s, reports RTE.
She argued that there is now a “profitable military industrial complex” growing across the globe that is being prioritized over efforts for peace.
“After the Second World War, we said no more wars. And more and more, we have a more profitable military industrial complex that’s heading in one direction. It’s very hard to keep figures in my head. We’re not putting that money into peace,” she said, reports RTE.
During her appearance at UCD, Ms Connolly drew “parallels” between the military build-up in Nazi Germany and the recent push for defence funding led by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
Addressing students from UCD’s Politics and International Relations Society, she remarked: “They’re absolutely championing the cause of the military-industrial complex in Germany, as a booster for the economy … Seems to me, there are some parallels with the ’30s,” reports RTE.
When Chancellor Merz secured Bundestag backing earlier this year for increased defence budgets, he justified the move by referencing both Russia’s war in Ukraine and Donald Trump’s return to the U.S. presidency, saying: “We have for at least a decade felt a false sense of security.”
At around the same time, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed that governments access €150bn in loans over five years to “massively step up their support to Ukraine”.
Speaking with UCD students, Ms Connolly said she didn’t want to “depress” them with talk about the “spend all over Europe on the military industrial complex”, but also offered a note of encouragement: “There is hope. And we have voices. And we can use them,” reports RTE.
Today marks the first full day of campaigning for the Presidential Election, with the three candidates visiting Dublin, Laois, and Limerick.
Ms Connolly, who is supported by several left-wing Oireachtas members, took part in a Dáil Public Accounts Committee meeting this morning as a TD representing Galway West.
Later, acting in her role as presidential candidate, she planned to campaign in Dublin, including attending a rally this evening in Harold’s Cross, reports RTE.
Fine Gael’s candidate Heather Humphreys began her campaign trail in Laois today, holding a lunchtime canvass in Portlaoise.
Speaking there before heading to Limerick, Ms Humphreys said she’s enjoying the chance to meet voters and wants to serve as a president who promotes “opportunity, unity and community.”
Following canvassing in Limerick City, Ms Humphreys is scheduled to speak at a Fine Gael rally in Patrickswell, reports RTE.
Earlier in the day, Ms Humphreys identified the housing supply as “the biggest challenge” facing Ireland and called the situation “very tough”, though she didn’t go as far as President Michael D. Higgins, who previously described it as a “disaster.”
Speaking this afternoon, Ms Humphreys made clear her goal is to secure first preference votes.
When asked whether she would seek second-preference votes from Fianna Fáil supporters, she replied: “Regarding where people want to give their numbers twos, it’s a bit early at this stage, reports RTE.
“My focus is going to be on looking for their support for me because if you don’t get enough votes, you don’t get elected,” she said.
Fianna Fáil’s candidate Jim Gavin was also campaigning in Dublin today, with stops in Dalkey, Blackrock, and Dún Laoghaire.
In Dalkey, Mr Gavin expressed strong support for the Women of Honour group, made up of female Defence Forces members past and present, stating they had rendered great service by coming forward and that valuable lessons needed to be learned, reports RTE.
When asked whether he had witnessed any sexism or bullying during his time in the Defence Forces, Mr Gavin replied that he had not.
“I had a really positive experience in Defence Forces but I understand not everybody had that, and that’s why I’m very proud of what they did, those women, they stepped forward. I’m fully behind them, and I’m really keen to see what comes out,” he said, reports RTE.
Questioned on whether, as president, he would meet U.S. President Donald Trump during a state visit, Mr Gavin responded: “Any elected head of state that comes, comes to the country that the president has to meet, I will meet them.”
Mr Gavin also said he’s enthusiastic about taking part in the televised presidential debates.
“I’m really looking forward to it and enthused by it. I’ll do my preparation as best I can and to represent my candidacy and what I’m going to offer and bring to the presidency of Ireland,” he added, reports RTE.
Yesterday, barrister Maria Steen was unsuccessful in securing a spot on the ballot, having received only 18 Oireachtas nominations — two short of the 20 needed.
After ending her campaign, Ms Steen told the press that “rarely has the political consensus seemed more oppressive or detached from the public’s wishes,” reports RTE.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin, however, rejected the idea that her exclusion was in any way “anti-democratic.”
Voting is scheduled to take place on 24 October. With only three contenders in the race, this year’s election marks the smallest candidate field since 1990, reports RTE.
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