Independent Galway West TD Catherine Connolly has officially announced her candidacy for the Presidency of Ireland following the acquisition of necessary nominations. Connolly, aged 68, confirmed her intention to run during an interview on July 16, 2024, via RTÉ’s Irish language radio channel, Raidió na Gaeltachta. To be eligible for the ballot, candidates in Ireland must be at least 35 years old and nominated either by at least 20 members of the Oireachtas, four local authorities, or by former or retiring Presidents.

Connolly has garnered the support of 20 Oireachtas members, including endorsements from the Social Democrats, People Before Profit, and several Independents. The Labour Party is also considering backing her candidacy.

“I am honoured to announce that I have secured the support of my colleagues to run for the office of Uachtarán na hÉireann, the Presidency of Ireland,” Connolly stated on social media. She highlighted the importance of the election as a platform for representing the people’s voice and promoting the common good. Connolly emphasized the need for a “people’s movement” to effectively communicate her vision of hope across all communities in Ireland.

Connolly has represented Galway West as a TD since 2016. After departing from the Labour Party in 2006, she has operated as an Independent. Her prior roles include serving on the Public Accounts Committee and chairing the Committee on the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Islands. Notably, from 2020 to 2024, Connolly held the position of Leas-Cheann Comhairle, becoming the first woman to do so.

“It’s an important day for me, and I am finally confirming that I am standing for the Presidency of Ireland,” Connolly remarked to reporters outside Leinster House. “I stand here, not as a politician seeking office, but as a citizen, to serve as the President of Ireland with the help of the people and the votes of Ireland.” She expressed her commitment to serving with humility and hope, believing in the potential for collective action to elevate the country.

Connolly acknowledged the lengthy decision-making process leading to her candidacy. “It wasn’t something I did overnight,” she explained. “It was a tortuous decision for many reasons—my own personality included—and it has taken many months.” She reached her final decision the previous week and is now eager to empower citizens to find their voices and advocate for change.

During her announcement, Connolly addressed pressing issues such as climate change and homelessness, stating, “We must deal with climate change. We must be a voice for peace. We have to stop the normalization of war and violence.” She underscored that these challenges are not inevitable but rather the result of policy decisions, advocating for a different vision of Ireland and the world.

Connolly’s confirmation as a candidate follows closely after the nomination of Mairead McGuinness as the candidate for Fine Gael. McGuinness was the only name submitted for ratification, which will take place at a Fine Gael event in September, marking the start of their Presidential campaign.

The political landscape remains dynamic, with Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald not ruling herself out as a potential candidate. Similarly, Michelle O’Neill, Sinn Féin’s Vice President and First Minister of Northern Ireland, has also left the door open for candidacy.

Meanwhile, Fianna Fáil, currently the largest party in the Dáil, has yet to announce whether it will support a candidate. Jack Chambers, a TD for Fianna Fáil, indicated that a decision will be made in early autumn. Potential candidates mentioned include Micheál Martin, the current Taoiseach and leader of Fianna Fáil, although Chambers noted that Martin may prefer to remain in his current role. Former TD Mary Hanafin has also expressed interest in the party’s nomination.

In a somewhat unconventional development, mixed martial artist Conor McGregor has renewed his call for supporters to vote for him in the Presidential election, though it remains unlikely that he will meet the nomination thresholds required to appear on the ballot.

As the election period unfolds, Connolly’s campaign will be closely watched as she seeks to mobilize support and present her vision for Ireland’s future.

Twenty individuals lost their lives on the morning of November 1, 2023, at a Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) aid distribution center. The distressing incident occurred as people gathered to receive food. According to GHF, 19 victims were trampled during a crowd surge, while one individual was fatally stabbed.

Amid the chaos, Gazan authorities claimed that Israeli soldiers had used tear gas and live ammunition against the crowd, which incited the surge. These assertions have not been independently verified by POLITICO. The United Nations reported that nearly 900 people have been killed in Gaza while attempting to access food in recent weeks, with 674 fatalities occurring near GHF aid sites.

The GHF, which has been a primary provider of humanitarian assistance in Gaza since May 2023, has consistently denied that fatalities have taken place at its distribution centers. However, the organization faces significant scrutiny, especially following the U.N.’s accusations of its role in enabling the forced relocation of Palestinians amid ongoing conflict with Hamas militants.

Escalating Humanitarian Crisis

Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), characterized the aid distribution process in Gaza as a “death trap” in a statement made in June. He described the current situation as a “humiliating system” compelling “thousands of hungry and desperate people to walk for tens of miles to an area that’s all but pulverized.”

In June 2023, an EU review determined that Israel was in breach of its human rights obligations as stipulated in its trade agreements with the EU. Last week, Brussels reached an agreement with Israel aimed at increasing aid deliveries to Gaza. However, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas emphasized on November 1 that Israel must take more decisive action to enhance the humanitarian conditions in the enclave.

Following the tragic events at the GHF aid center, the organization released a statement expressing profound sorrow for the lives lost. It reaffirmed its commitment to providing humanitarian assistance as safely and responsibly as possible. “GHF exists to serve the people of Gaza with compassion and integrity, and our mission has never been more urgent or more challenged,” the statement read.

The escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to prompt international concern, highlighting the urgent need for effective measures to ensure the safety and well-being of civilians seeking essential aid.

A candidate from the recent Seanad election has brought her case to the High Court, asserting that there was a legitimate expectation for a full recount of the votes due to an exceedingly narrow margin of defeat. Angela Feeney, a member of the Labour Party and Kildare County councillor, claims that the circumstances surrounding the vote counting raised significant transparency issues.

Feeney lost her bid for a seat on the agricultural panel to Fine Gael’s Maria Byrne by a margin of just one-ninth of a ballot. The High Court proceedings, held in Dublin, have revealed that Feeney’s request for a full recount was denied by the returning officer, despite the close nature of the election results.

Transparency Concerns in Vote Counting

During her testimony, Feeney highlighted problems with the counting environment at Leinster House, describing it as “cramped and crowded.” She expressed that the layout hindered the ability of candidates to observe the counting process effectively. “There was no proper line of sight to see the ballot papers being counted,” Feeney stated. According to her, the situation did not allow for adequate scrutiny of the electoral process, which is essential for maintaining public confidence.

The electoral laws permit candidates to request recounts, but the decision ultimately lies with the returning officer. Following her initial request, Feeney received a response indicating that only a limited recount of the 23rd count would be performed. This decision has prompted Feeney to challenge the returning officer’s discretion in her petition to the High Court.

Legal Arguments and Historical Context

Feeney’s senior counsel, Conor Power, argued that the margin by which she lost is among the closest seen in the Seanad elections since the 1980s. With a valid poll of 95,667 votes cast for the agricultural panel, Feeney secured 17,513 votes, while Byrne received 17,629. The minute difference raises questions about the integrity of the electoral process, especially when human error in counting could lead to significant discrepancies.

Power emphasized the importance of recounts, stating that “the purpose of the Electoral Act is to ensure an outcome that the public has confidence in.” He further noted that small margins warrant careful consideration by the returning officer, as recounts can lead to changes in vote totals. He is requesting the court to order a full recount to clarify any potential mistakes or irregularities in the initial count.

Feeney, who has participated in numerous election counts over the years, expressed her surprise at the counting conditions. She stated that the lack of visibility during the counting process was not only unusual but also detrimental to the transparency expected in elections.

Cross-examination by Catherine Donnelly SC, representing the returning officer, revealed that Feeney was not the only candidate eliminated by a narrow margin, suggesting that such occurrences are not uncommon. Nonetheless, Feeney maintained that the closeness of her loss was unprecedented for her experience.

The case continues, with the court considering the implications of the recount request and the broader issues of electoral transparency. As the proceedings unfold, they highlight the critical balance between procedural integrity and the public’s trust in the electoral system.

The European Union (EU) is contemplating a significant trade retaliation in response to Donald Trump‘s recent threat of imposing a 30 percent tariff on EU goods, effective August 1, 2023. This potential shift in trade policy has raised concerns among EU member states about the economic implications and their ability to respond effectively to U.S. pressure.

New Tariff Proposals Spark Controversy

In a move that has startled Brussels, Trump announced the steep tariff during a recent press conference, escalating tensions that had previously seemed to be easing. The EU had initially been encouraged by discussions suggesting that tariffs might be reduced, with earlier proposals of 10 percent tariffs appearing more manageable. Now, the looming threat of a 30 percent increase has prompted the EU to reconsider its stance on retaliation.

According to reports from POLITICO, the EU is preparing a list of potential targets for retaliation, valued at approximately €72 billion. The proposed list includes a variety of goods, with the majority being industrial exports worth €65.7 billion. Agricultural products, including bourbon whiskey, are also on the list despite lobbying efforts from member countries like France and Ireland to protect their beverage industry.

The most significant item targeted appears to be aircraft and parts, which could impact Boeing by subjecting nearly €11 billion of exports to tariffs. Other affected sectors include machinery, cars, and car parts, which could further complicate trade relations between the EU and the U.S.

Internal EU Discontent and Strategic Delays

Within the EU, there is growing criticism regarding how the bloc has handled trade negotiations. Aura Salla, a Member of the European Parliament from Finland, described the public celebration of tariff negotiation progress as a “colossal communication error.” She emphasized the need for a tougher stance and suggested that retaliatory tariffs against U.S. social media platforms should not be excluded from consideration.

Trade chief Maroš Šefčovič acknowledged that Trump’s threats have increased the EU’s appetite for retaliation. Despite this, the EU is delaying any countermeasures until after August 6, as member states hope for a resolution that could spare significant portions of the European industrial sector from harm.

Some member countries, like Lithuania, continue to advocate for caution. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys stated, “We don’t think that in this phase… we should escalate our rhetoric or our measures,” suggesting a preference for negotiation over confrontation.

As the EU grapples with these challenges, it remains to be seen whether it will adopt a conciliatory approach, escalate its retaliatory measures, or find a diplomatic resolution to the trade conflict. The stakes are high, not just for the EU but for the global economy, as the repercussions of these tariffs could reverberate across multiple sectors and nations.