Higgins most 'substantial' candidate

Labour Party presidential hopeful Michael D Higgins has said he is a “better” and “more substantial” candidate than Independent…

Labour Party presidential hopeful Michael D Higgins has said he is a “better” and “more substantial” candidate than Independent Seán Gallagher.

Speaking during a canvass on Grafton Street in Dublin with Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore and other senior Labour Party figures, Mr Higgins said he was the candidate that people knew.

“Somebody who has never had a share, somebody who has never had a company…I have never had transactions in business. I am 100 miles from the Celtic Tiger,” he said.

Mr Higgins also said unemployed people must only hear comments from presidential candidates that were “real, true and substantial”.

Asked to be specific about what he was saying about Mr Gallagher, he said: “I am saying that I am more substantial and I am clearly the better candidate.”

He also stressed his proficiency in the Irish language.

  • Join The Irish Times on WhatsApp and stay up to date

  • Sign up for push alerts to get the best breaking news, analysis and comment delivered directly to your phone

  • Listen to In The News podcast daily for a deep dive on the stories that matter

Mary Minihan

Mary Minihan

Mary Minihan is Features Editor of The Irish Times