{"id":9172,"date":"2025-08-19T10:53:09","date_gmt":"2025-08-19T10:53:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/9172\/"},"modified":"2025-08-19T10:53:09","modified_gmt":"2025-08-19T10:53:09","slug":"heather-humphreys-and-sean-kelly-to-seek-fine-gael-nomination-to-run-in-presidential-election-the-irish-times","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/9172\/","title":{"rendered":"Heather Humphreys and Se\u00e1n Kelly to seek Fine Gael nomination to run in presidential election \u2013 The Irish Times"},"content":{"rendered":"

Former Fine Gael minister Heather Humphreys<\/a> and Ireland South MEP Se\u00e1n Kelly<\/a> are to seek the party\u2019s nomination to contest the upcoming presidential election<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Ms Humphreys said she had been \u201cgenuinely humbled\u201d by the support for her candidacy in recent days.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have decided to go for it,\u201d she told The Joe Finnegan Show on Cavan-Monaghan radio station Northern Sound. <\/p>\n

She said it was \u201cfair\u201d to ask why she had changed her mind, having ruled herself out of the contest in May and saying she would be supporting her \u201cfriend\u201d Mairead McGuinness instead.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut as we know, everything has changed with Mairead\u2019s news last week and I would just like to wish her well in her recovery.\u201d <\/p>\n

Ms Humphreys said she was a \u201cbit burned out\u201d and was probably \u201crunning on empty\u201d when she decided to step down from politics at the end of last year having sat at cabinet for a decade. <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve said to myself more than once: \u2018you could do a bit more Heather\u2019,\u201d she said. \u201cReally, I\u2019ve had a good rest, the tank is full again. And you know timing is a funny thing because I have never felt as good about taking on the challenge.\u201d <\/p>\n

Her announcement came a little over an hour after Mr Kelly, a former GAA president, said he also intends to seek the party\u2019s nomination. He said he believes that there should be a contest between him and Ms Humphreys. <\/p>\n

Both candidates have two weeks to lobby party members for support. In order to be nominated as Fine Gael\u2019s candidate, both would need the backing of at least 20 members of the parliamentary party, 25 councillors and five members of the executive council. <\/p>\n

It is understood that Ms Humphreys is ahead with the parliamentary party despite having not yet formally started canvassing for support. Mr Kelly on Tuesday said he will now be seeking the support of TDs and Senators. <\/p>\n

Ms Humphreys is also understood to be the favoured candidate of party leader and T\u00e1naiste Simon Harris<\/a>. <\/p>\n

She and Mr Kelly had previously ruled themselves out of the contest, when it was believed that Ms McGuinness would be Fine Gael\u2019s candidate. However, Ms McGuinness last week announced she was withdrawing on health grounds. <\/p>\n

Ms Humphreys in May ruled herself out of running for the presidency, citing her decision to leave politics altogether at the last general election. <\/p>\n

\u201cI said at that time that I wanted to spend more time with the family and that my time in public life was over,\u201d she said. \u201cI made that decision then and it is the same.\u201d<\/p>\n

In July, Mr Kelly also ruled himself out of the contest. He said that the presidency was largely a ceremonial role. <\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t have that much power or influence even though you can dress it up whatever way you like and I like to be involved politically,\u201d he said then. <\/p>\n

The MEP appeared to walk these comments back on Tuesday, saying that his comment \u201cwas in comparison to presidents around the world who have executive powers\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I think actually there\u2019s a huge potential in the job, it is the highest honour in Ireland.\u201d <\/p>\n

The MEP said that having spent time in Ireland over the last few weeks, he understood that he had grassroots support as many people had told him they were disappointed he was not running for the \u00c1ras.<\/p>\n

After deliberating for little over an hour on Monday evening, Fine Gael\u2019s executive council decided it would reopen nominations on Tuesday until September 2nd. <\/p>\n

\n

In the days following Mairead McGuinness’ unfortunate withdrawal as Fine Gael’s candidate for President of Ireland on health grounds, I have reflected and given serious consideration to the possibility of seeking the @FineGael<\/a> nomination.<\/p>\n

After discussing it with my family and\u2026<\/p>\n

\u2014 Se\u00e1n Kelly MEP (@SeanKellyMEP) August 19, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Mr Kelly said he believes Fine Gael\u2019s base would like to see a contest for its presidential nomination as they are good for parties and for democracies. <\/p>\n

Minister for Culture Patrick O\u2019Donovan on Tuesday said he would be supporting Ms Humphreys. He said she had \u201call of the qualities and attributes\u201d needed to be president. <\/p>\n

\u201cThere isn\u2019t a parish or a crossroads in this country that she hasn\u2019t touched in some way,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Fine Gael TD Noel McCarthy on Tuesday endorsed Mr Kelly\u2019s candidacy. The Cork East deputy said Mr Kelly had done \u201cmarvellous work\u201d in his time as an MEP, highlighted by him polling 125,000 first-preference votes in last year\u2019s European election.<\/p>\n