Presidential candidate Heather Humphreys believes that rural Ireland is 'alive and kicking'
The Fine Gael candidate was speaking on the Joe Finnegan Show this morning ahead of this Friday's election.
Ms Humphreys said that there will always be challenges living in rural areas, but that the important thing is that people can live and work in their own community.
She said that as president, she wants to use the role to help divided communities, and to recognise the important role played by volunteers.
Ms Humphreys said: "As President, I want to put a big focus on uniting community. There is a lot of divisiveness in our society, and there are communities that are divided.
"I want to use the Áras to bring people together, to have those conversations. But it's not just about bringing people to the Áras, if I was elected as President, I want to bring the Áras out to people, I want to visit communities. I can assure every single one of them, that I will speak up for them," she added.
