Welcome to today’s politics live story where we will be updating you on all the big stories of the day and bringing you the latest news in the lead-up to the presidential election.
Latest News
- Two Social Democrats have quit the party, citing the Eoin Hayes controversy.
- Gareth Sheridan has secured the nomination of a second local authority, with Tipperary County Council voting to endorse him.
- Fianna Fáil presidential candidate Jim Gavin has been speaking to the media at the National Ploughing Championships in Screggan.
Key Reads
- New Eoin Hayes controversy overshadows Holly Cairns’ return to political frontline
- Analysis: Gareth Sheridan has momentum on his side with two council nominations
- Presidential election: Up to 20 names raised as Fianna Fáil runners, says Martin
- Listen to Inside Politics: Leo Varadkar speaks his mind on reunification, Covid, Eoghan Murphy and Phil Hogan
- Presidential election: Meet the three hopefuls who will be on the ballot paper next month
Tipperary Fine Gael councillor Mary-Hanna Hourigan went against an instruction from Fine Gael headquarters to vote against the nomination of any candidate from outside that party.
Ms Hourigan’s also voted against a motion put down by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael whips which would have prevented a vote being taken on a candidate at all, reports Jack Horgan-Jones.
This first vote was passed 20-19, meaning her vote was pivotal, and Mr Sheridan could not have secured the nomination without it, as the second vote to select a candidate to endorse would not have proceeded.
Speaking to The Irish Times on Tuesday, Ms Hourigan said she had full confidence in the Fine Gael candidate, Heather Humphreys, and would canvass and vote for her in October’s contest.
However, she said that councillors have very few functions of influence and she wanted to exercise her vote independently.
“We really have very little power and that is being stripped away from us bit by bit by central government.
“I feel as an elected councillor I should be able to vote freely and do what I feel is the right thing to do.”
She said Mr Sheridan was a “young guy with a lot to offer” and “felt really credible” and could have a future in politics, even if he does not secure support from other councils.
“I don’t think Simon Harris or [Fine Gael general secretary] John Carroll has the authority to tell me what to do or how to vote,” she said.
She said the Fine Gael whip on the council had informed her that it was not to be a whipped vote.
“They shouldn’t be afraid of competition - competition is healthy, competition is good,” she said, adding: “I always say: ‘bring it on’.”
The weather has turned chilly, and politicians are trudging around the Ploughing Championships, which can only mean that the Inside Politics digest is returning for the new political season.
This digest contains a round-up of the key political stories of the day, analysis, and a look ahead to the day’s political business.
Our team will have our hands full during this political term to come, that’s for sure. You can find out more details here.
Heather Humphreys and Jim Gavin, Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil’s presidential candidates respectively, bumped into each other while canvassing at the National Ploughing Championships in Co Offaly today.
In a brief exchange, Ms Humphreys said: “Lovely to see you, I wish you well.”
Mr Gavin replied: “Likewise, have a great campaign.”
During his interview with Drivetime, Mr Sheridan said he is in favour of the Occupied Territories Bill which proposes a ban on imports into Ireland from settlements in the West Bank that are illegally occupied by Israel.
“I think it’s overdue at this point,” he said.
“I would wholeheartedly agree that [what is happening in Gaza] is a genocide. I mean, we’re in a position now where we’re experiencing and witnessing something that is always going to now be on the wrong side of history - particularly when you’re weaponising food and water against women and children.”
Mr Sheridan is a co-founder of the US-based pharma company Nutriband. The business is awaiting Food and Drug Administration approval for its technology, which is designed to prevent abuse of patch medications.
When asked whether he supports sanctions on Israel, he said: “I think, yeah, a message has to be sent.
“We’re in a position now where it just seems like nothing is being done at an international level, no matter what’s being said.
“We can condemn all we want, and we can voice our concerns and our opinions that it’s wrong - but unless you take action, you won’t see results.
“And I think that’s something that needs to happen.”
Independent Gareth Sheridan, who now has the backing of Tipperary County Council and Kerry County Council, says some councillors from political parties would like to see more Independent candidates get the chance to run in the presidential election.
During an interview on RTÉ Radio 1’s Drivetime, Mr Sheridan said he believes “a lot” of councillors from parties “have an appetite to abstain” from voting to “let the process play out”.
“I think we saw that today, thankfully ... Tipperary taking a stand in that sense will hopefully send a message now to the remaining councils that have to meet and consider applicants.
“But at the same time, I know it’s not something that’s taken for granted. I know there’s a lot of trust involved there, and you really have to earn that support.”
Fine Gael’s Mary-Hanna Hourigan was among the councillors in Tipperary who backed Mr Sheridan’s bid today, saying that having a “three-horse race” for the Áras is not enough.
She went against an instruction from FG headquarters to vote against the nomination of any candidate from outside the party.
More from the Wicklow County Council meeting, via Jack Horgan-Jones:
The council has held a preliminary vote on whether to nominate a presidential candidate.
They have decided not to proceed to a full vote by a margin of 20-10.
A full vote would have seen Nick Delehanty and Maria Steen face off. But now it won’t happen.
Presidential candidates Catherine Connolly, Jim Gavin and Heather Humphreys joined the tens of thousands who attended the Ploughing Championships in Tullamore, Co Offaly, on Tuesday.
At a session before Wicklow County Council, Maria Steen, the pro-life campaigner and barrister, has been proposed and seconded, reports Jack Horgan-Jones.
She did not appear today and had not sought a nomination from Wicklow County Council. However, she has confirmed she would be happy to take the endorsement if it comes her way.
Former solicitor Nick Delehanty has also received a proposer and seconder, making this a contest.
However, the council first has to vote on whether to nominate at all.
In the meantime, councillors still had to hear from another candidate, Lucy-Anne O’Leary, who entered the building ready to present her powerpoint on the vision and values of the Irish presidency. One councillor told her she did very well, given she had just sprinted in from her car to make her pitch.
This meeting has taken a five-minute break.
Catherine Connolly addresses Eoin Hayes’ blackface controversy
Independent presidential candidate Catherine Connolly has said Irish people have said “many racist things” in the past that they did not realise were racist at the time.
Ms Connolly, asked about the blackface controversy surrounding Social Democrats TD Eoin Hayes, said such things are appalling and unacceptable but people should learn from that.
“We have all said and done things in our lives, and we have said many racist things actually in our past, that we didn’t even think were racist.
“It’s appalling, unacceptable, but we should all learn. I taught Travellers for three years. I was witness to what they suffered and the racist comments. And so we should all learn. And I don’t think it’s something to decry as such. It’s something to learn from.”
Ms Connolly said, when asked, that she would not be apologising for her decision to nominate Gemma O’Doherty for the 2018 presidential election. Ms O’Doherty has drawn criticism for comments she has made on a wide number of issues, including vaccination and immigration.
“I made the best decision I could at the time. Let’s remember that that journalist was an award-winning journalist and there was an unfair dismissal against the paper she worked for.
“I did not support Gemma O’Doherty. I have never supported her, but I nominated her.”
Ms Connolly said it was her first time visiting the ploughing championships. Asked about additional candidates being added to the slate, she said a “healthy democracy can cope with candidates”.
Tánaiste Simon Harris has said even “Mystic Meg” does not know what is happening with Sinn Féin’s process to select a presidential candidate, reports Harry McGee.
Speaking at the Ploughing Championships in Screggan, Co Offaly, Mr Harris implied Sinn Féin’s handling of the issue has been “carefully curated and media-managed”.
He said the party would disclose its strategy on Saturday “just in time for the Sunday papers”.
Sinn Féin’s Ard Chomhairle will decide on Saturday the identity of its candidate if it decides to contest the election alone, or announce that the party is supporting Independent candidate Catherine Connolly as part of a “united left” front.
Mr Harris claimed that, irrespective of Sinn Féin’s decision, Fine Gael candidate Heather Humphreys would be better qualified than anyone else to lead a conversation on reconciliation.
Asked about the revelation that Social Democrats TD Eoin Hayes used brown make-up to appear like former US president Barack Obama for a fancy dress party in 2009, Mr Harris said Mr Hayes himself had admitted “it was wrong then and is wrong now”.
He said: “It’s also something that was 16 years ago. It’s a matter for the Social Democrats. The man has apologised.”
Mr Harris indicated that the lower VAT rate for food and other hospitality was part of the budgetary projections and he would “make no apology for wanting to support small businesses in the hospitality sector”.
He also said reductions in energy bills had been a practical and tangible policy instrument by the Government to keep energy costs down. “I would like to see that continue,” he said.
Asked whether RTÉ was late in making the decision not to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest if Israel was involved, Mr Harris said that when people look back on this period, they will say “everybody acted too late”.
“The situation is now so appallingly grave that I fully support the decision that RTÉ has taken ... We need to take economic sanctions on a European level that will have a real impact.”
Gareth Sheridan secures nomination of a second local authority
Gareth Sheridan has secured the nomination of a second local authority, with Tipperary County Council voting to endorse him.
He secured the backing of 17 councillors, against three for the only other person who was proposed and seconded, Cllr Kieran McCarthy. There were 16 abstentions.
“I’m fully aware of the old saying, where Tipperary leads, Ireland follows,” Mr Sheridan told the meeting after being endorsed, promising not to let them down.
Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil proposed a countermotion prior to the vote seeking that the local authority not nominate anyone, which was defeated by 20 votes to 19.
The Fine Gael/Fianna Fáil motion has been defeated by 20 votes to 19, so Tipperary County Council will now seek proposers and seconders.
Gareth Sheridan has been proposed and seconded.
Cllr Kieran McCarthy has been proposed and seconded.
A roll-call vote is now under way between the two men for the Tipperary nomination.
Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have proposed not nominating a candidate in Tipperary, Jack-Horgan Jones reports.
There’s lots of shouting, which is causing the stream to drop - councillors themselves are complaining they can’t hear proceedings in the chamber, with some now saying they want to speak on the motion not to nominate anyone. There’s lots of noise, and jaunty camera work on the stream. A roll-call vote is now under way.
Galway councillors decline to back any candidate
Today’s sitting of Galway County Council may have been a missed opportunity for those seeking the county council route to run for the presidency, with several councillors expressing their willingness to back a candidate, if a suitable candidate had been present. Andrew Hamilton reports.
Only five of the 30 candidates who were seeking the support of Galway County Council spoke at this morning’s meeting, with several councillors criticising the candidates who failed to attend, as well as the preparations made by the candidates who did attend.
The meeting came to an end a few minutes ago, with councillors declining to back any candidate.
Several Fianna Fáil councillors said that they were willing to support a suitable candidate and that no instructions had come on the matter from party headquarters.
Senior Fine Gael councillor Jimmy McClearn criticised the candidates who didn’t attend for “disrespecting the office” of president.
He also said that Galway’s Fine Gael councillors had decided not to endorse a non-Fine Gael candidate long before any instruction came from the party headquarters.
“Those who didn’t come here today are disrespecting the office. The president is the highest office in the land,” he said.
“I indicated that Fine Gael would not be supporting any candidate other than the Fine Gael candidate. That was long before there was any issue with whipping [the use of the party whip]. Anyone who goes racing knows that you shouldn’t be backing two horses in the same race.”
Cllr Donagh Killilea was one of a number of Fianna Fáil councillors who said he would have backed a candidate if a suitable candidate had been present.
“Fianna Fáil have no whipping process. We got no direction, so this is a free vote,” he said.
“To think that there were 30 [candidates] who emailed us and only a handful of them showed up today. There is a preconception that Fianna Fáil have to sit on their hands, but that is not the case.”
There was also a heated exchange between candidate Seana Kerr and Independent Cllr Karey McHugh Farag, with McHugh Farag criticising the preparations made by the five candidates present.
“Why haven’t they tried to canvass any of us considering that this is their chosen route to the presidency?” asked Cllr McHugh Farag.
“Not one candidate has canvassed me personally. When there is a Seanad election I am inundated with messages from candidates. You are asking us to take a massive risk but we do not know who you are.
“We are the gatekeepers to that office. That is right, the way it should be. I don’t understand why you haven’t tried to speak to me before this.”
This prompted a heated response from Ms Kerr, who questioned why Cllr McHugh Farag had not done her own research on the candidates.
The five presidential hopefuls present at today’s meeting were Aidan Harrington, Seana Kerr, Gearoid Duffy, Lucy Ann O’Leary and Gerban Uunk.
Academic Dolores Cahill addresses Tipperary County Council
Tipperary County Council has taken a break for lunch.
The last hopeful candidate who addressed councillors was academic Dolores Cahill.
Ms Cahill, who claimed children who wore face masks during the Covid-19 pandemic would have a lower IQ, was an anti-vaccination campaigner. She told the meeting she had run a study that showed that there was permanent brain damage to children after 20 minutes, which had been used to stop the use of face masks in children in Dortmund.
Ms Cahill has been a respected academic in the field of proteomics, which is the large-scale study of proteins. She returned to work in Ireland in 2003 after a period in the prestigious Max Planck Institute in Germany.
In recent years she had taught a UCD first-year medicine class called Science, Medicine and Society. However, she was moved from her role as a lecturer in 2020.
She was a chair of the Irish Freedom Party, she said, but was asked to resign due to her campaigning during the pandemic, including, she said, drawing attention to deaths in care homes.
She also said that UCD “put proceedings against me” and tried to fire her at the same time. “That’s when a lot of the criticism around me in the media started,” she said.
Ms Cahill said that much of what has been published about her in the media “has not been true” and that she had gone from “being described as a distinguished scientist to someone being described in the media as a crank and a tin foil hat” after raising public concerns around the issue of informed consent.
She said she did so because she felt a “lawful and moral duty to warn people of potential dangers”.
She encouraged councillors to use their power to nominate someone for president, arguing that this would “restore public confidence in the democratic process which has been sadly eroded in recent years”.
President Michael D Higgins suggests his counterpart in Israel Yitzhak Herzog misled him on Gaza food delivery
President Michael D Higgins has suggested his counterpart in Israel, Yitzhak Herzog, misled him in stating that a consignment of Irish food would be delivered to Gaza, writes Ronan McGreevy.
Speaking at the National Ploughing Championships, Mr Higgins said he sat beside president Herzog at the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV.
“I said to him there was two consignments of Irish food. He told me they would be delivered within the day,” the President said.
“Our embassy was contacted. They are today in Amman, Jordan, because words mean nothing.”
Mr Higgins believed Israel and the countries that support it with armaments should be excluded from the United Nations.
“There should be no hesitation any longer in ending trade with people who are inflicting this on our fellow human beings.”
He added that the European Union cannot call itself a union if it does not take action against Israel, and he accused some of the EU’s larger members of staying silent in the face of a “man-made famine”.
A United Nations commission of inquiry has concluded that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza and that top Israeli officials including prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu had incited these acts.
The commission cited examples of the scale of the killings, aid blockages, forced displacement and the destruction of a fertility clinic to back up its genocide finding, adding its voice to rights groups and others that have reached the same conclusion.
Mr Higgins repeated comments he made many times before that it was not anti-Semitic to criticise Israel.
“And that’s something that I have to say as well, because I was part of it myself, is the idea that you pile lie upon lie and refer to anyone who is against that genocide as anti-Semitic,” he said.
Galway County Council unlikely to support presidential candidate
Following a robust questions and answers session with the five presidential candidates who spoke at Galway County Council this morning, the meeting has been adjourned for ten minutes to allow councillors to discuss the possibility of backing a candidate. Andrew Hamilton reports.
It now seems unlikely however that the council will support a candidate, with several councillors criticising both the 25 candidates who failed to attend, as well as the preparations made by the five candidates who did attend.
Several Fianna Fáil councillors said that they were willing to support a suitable candidate and that no instruction had come on the matter from the party head office.
There was a heated exchange between candidate Seana Kerr and Independent councillor Karey McHugh Farag, with McHugh Farag criticising the preparations made by the five candidates present.
“Why haven’t they tried to canvass any of us considering that this is their chosen route to the presidency,” asked McHugh Farag.
“Not one candidate has canvassed me personally. When there is a Seanad election I am inundated with messages from candidates. You are asking us to take a massive risk but we do not know who you are.
“We are the gatekeepers to that office. That is right, the way it should be. I don’t understand why you haven’t tried to speak to me before this.”
This prompted a heated response from Ms Kerr, who questioned why Councillor McHugh Farag had not done her own research on the candidates.
Councillors are expected to announce their decision shortly.
Two Social Democrats quit party, citing Eoin Hayes controversy
Two Social Democrats members in Dublin have quit the party in part citing the controversy over Eoin Hayes and his “blackface” incident 16 years ago. Cormac McQuinn reports.
Local election candidate and chairman of the party’s branch in Dublin West, Luke Daly and his partner and party secretary in the constituency Jack O’Reilly have left the party.
Mr Daly made the announcement in social media posts on Monday night.
Mr Daly wrote: “After tonight’s developments of a Social Democrats TD announcing they participated in blackface, now is as good a time as any to inform folks that both my partner (secretary) and I (chairperson) have terminated our membership with the Social Democrats.
“After frank conversations over the past week, I know this to be the right decision for me.”
He said it was an honour to be the party’s “inaugural candidate” in Castleknock and chair of the Dublin West branch “but I no longer align with its direction”.
“I remain in solidarity with councillors, colleagues and elected representatives around the country whom have shown me kindness and support throughout my time in the party.
“They know who they are and I will forever champion them.”
Mr Daly added: “I have actively supported the Social Democrats since 2020 and while I am disappointed by these developments, I wish them all the best in their future endeavours.”
Mr Daly told The Irish Times he made his decision to leave the party before Mr Hayes’ statement on Monday night.
He said he remains “inspired” by the leadership of Holly Cairns and the “tireless” work of various party colleagues.
However, he said: “In discussions with HQ, I highlighted the need for stronger support for branches” and he “also raised concerns about Deputy Hayes’ suspension and return, though I respect the accountability he has shown and the work he has done for the party.”
Mr O’Reilly said he echoed Mr Daly’s sentiments and he also praised Ms Cairns and other former party colleagues.
He said: “I am not a politician, I have no desire to be an elected representative at this stage, I got involved to support my partner at the time and fell in love with Social Democracy and wanted to help out on the ground and support the party in whatever way I could because I believed in the core system.”
Heather Humphreys says Orange Order event in Monaghan is a picnic not a parade
Fine Gael presidential candidate Heather Humphreys has said the annual Orange Order event held in the County Monaghan village of Drum each year was a picnic and not a parade.
Ms Humphreys has been responding to questions about her family’s connections with the Orange Order during her visit to the National Ploughing Championship in Screggan, Co Offaly. Newspapers reports over the weekend suggested that she had attended Orange ‘parades’ in Co Monaghan as recently as 2014.
“The event in Drum is, is an Orange parade. Just to be very clear, the event in Drum is called Drum Picnic,” she said.
She said that people from across the community and from both sides of the border went to it.
“A Sinn Féin councillor came to it. (Former Fianna Fáil TD) Éamon Ó Cuív came to it back in 2009. People were absolutely delighted to see him there, and acknowledged how important it was that he did come, him being the grandson of Eamonn de Valera…
“It is about bringing people together. If we’re ever going to get anywhere, we need to bring people together. We need to have that understanding. And I’ve spent my life trying to bring people together, to break down those barriers.
“Those preconceived notions, they have to be stopped, and we need to talk to each other.”
She said the last time she was there was probably 2015 but said she would attend if she was free as it was a lovely evening.
“The same bands that play at the picnic at Drum also play at the St Patrick’s Day event in Cootehill and in Monaghan.”
Asked about her not having learned Irish after committing to do so in 2014, she said she went to the Gaeltacht for a week in 2017. “It was coming back to me. I do try to use as much Irish as I can. I think it is confidence, probably like most people. You’re afraid you’re going to say the wrong thing.”
She said that she was committed to go back to the Gaeltacht and brush up her Irish, so she could speak and understand it better.
She said that she became Minister for Business in 2017 and with Brexit happening, it became very busy.
Jim Gavin fields media questions at the Ploughing
Fianna Fáil presidential candidate Jim Gavin has been speaking to the media at the National Ploughing Championship in Screggan, Co Offaly. Harry McGee reports.
Making his first visit to the festival in 25 years, Gavin has responded to some of the issues that have arisen during his campaign.
Gavin has emphasised his family’s Fianna Fáil heritage in the face of questions that he had been approached by Fine Gael.
“My mum and dad came from west Clare. It’s a staunch Fianna Fáil part of the country, and I’m very proud to represent Fianna Fáil.”
Asked about being approached by Fine Gael to stand as a candidate, he said: “I can’t control that, but what I can control is how I respond to that. I was respectful and I politely declined,” he said.
Asked again his view on Gaza he said he was very clear that genocide was happening.
“The Israeli government is conducting war crimes. The fighting needs to stop today. We need to get aid today to the people of Gaza.”
Asked about the ‘triple lock’ he said he had a personal opinion but he was very conscious that it was a broader issue and that as president, he would be required to be non-partisan.
“You have no political influence on the policies of the day,” he said.
Asked about the main theme of his campaign, he said he would speak about his vision for the presidency at the official launch next week.
He said he was very proud of his Irish but was not as confident as he used to be in the language.
When it was put to him that there was a sense that Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil did not relate to young people, he said: “I’m a young man. I can relate to young people.”
He said he was proud to have met the disability campaigner Cara Darmody earlier that day.
“I’m personally proud of them. I like seeing their ambition for Ireland, their ingenuity, their vision of what Ireland can be. And that’s where my focus is.”
Taoiseach welcomes UN report finding that genocide is taking place in Gaza
The Taoiseach welcomed the UN report that found a genocide was taking place in Gaza, Pat Leahy reports from Fianna Fáil’s think-in.
“It’s a very serious report ... this is a very definitive and significant report. We await the findings of the International Court of Justice case which South Africa filed and we intervened on that case,” he said.
“But that report is saying four of the five criteria [for genocide] have been met in respect of Israel’s behaviour in Gaza. And we all are witnessing it now at the moment, every residential tower is being destroyed. That report says 90 per cent of all housing, it’s been destroyed. Education facilities have been destroyed, healthcare facilities ... so it’s very, very clear from that report that a genocide is taking place.
“In my view, United States and Europe and the wider world have to increase the pressure on Israel to stop this carnage and stop the slaughter of innocent civilians, and get a massive surge of aid into Gaza, and yes the hostages should be released by Hamas, without condition at this stage. Release the hostages, and let’s bring an end to this carnage.”
On the budget Mr Martin said again there would be no universal cost-of-living package, but he said:
“I think what we can do is through various income supports, support people in terms of budgetary measures to sort of help them to cope with the cost of living, particularly with the cost of groceries, which are increasing.
“You can’t do artificial sort of food subsidies or stuff like that that won’t sustain in the long term. But what we can do is to try and help people, particularly the low-income groups, and those who would suffer the most, would depend on groceries, or food, for their kids and families. We would certainly want to see, can we help them come through this period.”
Tipperary County Council hustings latest
Peter Casey has written to Tipperary county councillors saying he is not attending the meeting today, Jack Horgan-Jones reports.
Professor Doctor Josephe Chikelue Obi is also not present – not yet, anyway. The council is taking a ten-minute break, and we’ll see then if they’ve managed to rustle up any more potential candidates to hear from.
Taoiseach says ‘up to 20 names’ were raised as Fianna Fáil presidential runners
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has revealed that “up to 20 names” were mentioned as potential presidential candidates for the Fianna Fáil party.
The party’s presidential candidate, Jim Gavin, has the experience required to be president and would be active in the role, Mr Martin said.
Speaking on RTÉ Radio’s Morning Ireland, Mr Martin said “people came to us and suggested him [Mr Gavin]. We then met him and engaged with him.
“Jim gave it great thought, as is his wont. I mean he didn’t rush into this. He is a person of considerable substance, experience,” Mr Martin said.
Presidential candidates take on the ploughing
Meanwhile, presidential candidates have made it to the National Ploughing Championships in Co Offaly as they canvass ahead of the election.
Fine Gael’s Heather Humphreys and Independent candidate Catherine Connolly both shared images from the Screggan site on their social media this morning.
Five of 30 registered applicants show at Galway County Council presidential hustings
Only five of the 30 registered applicants who are seeking the support of Galway County Council are understood to be present this morning ahead of the presidential hustings, Andrew Hamilton reports.
The meeting has just opened with a near full house of councillors in attendance, both in person and online.
Unlike six of the local authorities who held meetings yesterday, Galway County Council, may endorse a candidate, with a number of Fianna Fáil councillors indicating that they will back someone to run as president.
The local authority first heard from Aidan Harrington, who says that the president should be given the power to introduce legislation and form think tanks.
“I want to take power away from the Dáil and transfer some of this power to the county council and the people of Ireland,” he said.
‘Blackface’ controversy dominates Social Democrats think-in
Cormac McQuinn brings us the latest from the Social Democrats think-in, which was dominated this morning by the controversy over Eoin Hayes.
Party leader Holly Cairns has had to deal with the storm over Dublin Bay South TD Mr Hayes as she returns from maternity leave.
Asked if Mr Hayes will face any disciplinary action and whether he could be suspended from the parliamentary party Ms Cairns said: “If this situation had arisen last week, or even last year, he would no longer be a Social Democrats TD.
“Giving consideration to the fact that this was 16 years ago. He was president of the Students Union at the time, I think that gives context to the situation.
“He himself has said it is never okay, that he should have known better but he didn’t.”
Pressed on whether he will face any disciplinary actions or sanctions she said: “Given that the situation was 16 years ago, I think we need to discuss the situation. You know, we haven’t a chance to meet yet, but in that context, no.”
Earlier she said: “there is no circumstances where blackface is okay.
“It is racist, and I want to make that very clear.”
She added: “I’m glad that Deputy Hayes has acknowledged that, that he didn’t understand the implications, how hurtful it was at the time, but he understands that now, and has issued an unreserved apology in relation to that.
“It is disappointing, and I would prefer for the focus for the party today to be on all of those important issues that we’re focusing on the new Dáil term.”
Blackface is a historical practice that is seen as racist and considered deeply offensive. It commonly refers to when a person, typically with white skin, paints their face darker to resemble a black person and dates back to a time when black people were mocked for the entertainment of white people promoting negative stereotypes.
Holly Cairns signals there will be no sanctions for Eoin Hayes’ ‘blackface’ Obama costume
Meanwhile, Cormac McQuinn reports from the Social Democrats think-in in Dublin.
Eoin Hayes is set to stay in the Social Democrats parliamentary party as Holly Cairns signalled there will be no sanctions for his ‘blackface’ Obama costume. She stopped short of saying she forgives him and said he will have to work to regain trust.
‘The Social Democrats do tend to lecture everybody else’: Taoiseach on Eoin Hayes controversy
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has declined to add to the pressure on Social Democrats TD Eoin Hayes, noting the “blackface” Halloween costume controversy issue occurring when he was a student, Pat Leahy reports.
Asked about the issue at his party’s think-in in Cork, Mr Martin said: “The Social Democrats do tend to lecture everybody else in terms of proper behaviour, so it’s somewhat unfortunate for them to end up in this sort of controversy at their parliamentary think-in. He did, he has apologised in full simply for this. It was during his student days, so I think ...that’s what the issue rests now.”
In Tipperary, they’re allocating 15 minutes per candidate and 24 have expressed an interest – with 11 having confirmed their attendance at today’s meeting.
In terms of the higher profile presidential hopefuls, Peter Casey will be up at around 11.30am. There was no response to the council’s request to confirm attendance from Nick Delahanty, nor, for that matter, the wheelbarrow candidate Barry Wheely-Row.
Now, will anyone be nominated? Bear with us, this gets a little complicated.
After the presentations, the council will consider whether to nominate any candidate – for which a proposer and a seconder will be needed.
If such can be found, there can be a counterproposal not to nominate a candidate, and the councillors will vote on it.
If the council decides to nominate, candidates will then need a proposer and seconder. If only one person gets proposed and seconded, they will be nominated as the candidate.
If more than one gets a proposer and seconder, then there will be a roll-call vote, with the winner being nominated as the candidate.
Gareth Sheridan says a younger president could be ‘not just a voice but an ear’
We’ll be keeping you in the loop today with the latest updates from a number of councils across the country which are hearing from potential presidential candidates.
Jack Horgan-Jones brings us this report from Tipperary County Council’s meeting this morning:
We’re under way in Nenagh as Tipperary County councillors meet with those hoping to secure support for their presidential tilt.
First out of the traps was businessman Gareth Sheridan, who has already one nomination in his back pocket, from Kerry County Council.
Mr Sheridan majored housing, a cornerstone of his campaign, and was asked what the president could do to address the crisis given the lack of executive powers attached to the post.
Citing the Constitution, he argued that Article 45.2.1 would allow him to lead a conversation, to create a “pressure point” around housing focusing on solutions. He said the housing crisis was “breaking the social contract with our younger generations”.
Asked about his abilities in the Irish language, he said he is “relearning” and that he wouldn’t say he is “debate-ready” but he put a “huge emphasis” on the language and was encouraged to see a “resurgence in passion” for it.
He spoke about his business background – and pointed out that the lack of political experience had not prevented Fianna Fáil from putting former Dublin GAA manager Jim Gavin forward.
Mr Sheridan said he was in favour of Irish unity and a referendum by 2030. He said the war in Gaza was a genocide and he supported the Occupied Territories Bill, and that he supported the ‘triple lock’ and neutrality. He supports the public ownership of water services and a referendum to enshrine that in the Constitution. He also supports a right to housing and that it should be enshrined in the Constitution.
Asked why he wouldn’t run for the Dáil, Mr Sheridan said a younger president could be “not just a voice but an ear” for younger people, encouraging them to enter politics.
‘I’m hugely disappointed’: Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns responds
Party leader Holly Cairns is due to speak to the media in Dublin at the party’s annual think-in this morning.
Speaking on RTÉ Radio’s Morning Ireland today, Ms Cairns said that if the incident had happened “last week or even last year, he would no longer be a Social Democrats TD”.
“There’s no way to sugarcoat it. I’m hugely disappointed and annoyed about this situation,” said Ms Cairns.
“On my first day back, there are so many issues that me and the party would prefer to be focusing on. Instead, we’re talking about this, and so at the outset, I just want to be clear that blackface is a form of racism, and in the Social Democrats, we abhor all kinds of racism.”
She said Mr Hayes would not be attending her party’s think-in in Dublin today, but would remain a party member.
Eoin Hayes controversy
Dublin Bay South TD Eoin Hayes has found himself at the centre of another controversy, just as Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns returns from maternity leave.
Ms Cairns has said that Mr Hayes, who wore brown make-up on his face and hands while dressed up as Barack Obama for a Halloween party, will remain a party member.
The “blackface” incident took place while Mr Hayes was president of the Students’ Union in University College Cork 16 years ago. Mr Hayes issued an apology on Monday evening.
He said he went on to work for the Obama re-election campaign in 2012, and described the former US president as someone he “greatly admired at the time” of the incident.
Last December, another controversy resulted in Mr Hayes’ suspension from the Social Democrats parliamentary party. It emerged he had issued misleading information about when he sold the shares in Palantir, a company linked to the Israeli military.
Mr Hayes was readmitted to the Social Democrats parliamentary party over the summer.
Jim Gavin received average of €5,000 a year in expenses as Dublin GAA manager
Fianna Fáil presidential candidate Jim Gavin received an average of €5,000 a year in expenses when he was manager of the Dublin Gaelic football team, writes Pat Leahy from Cork.
Mr Gavin managed the team to six All-Ireland titles, including a never-before-achieved five in a row, between 2012 and 2019.
The GAA has long been rife with rumours of under-the-counter payments to managers, especially when successful managers move to weaker counties.
In response to questions from The Irish Times, Fianna Fáil said on Mr Gavin’s behalf that he had received “an average of €5,000 per annum” during his time as manager.
“All expenses vouched and mileage according to published rates which the GAA sets at level of public service. No benefits received. Only vouched expenses,” the party said.
