Former minister and Cavan/Monaghan TD Heather Humphreys has officially launched her bid to become the next president.
The Fine Gael candidate addressed a packed campaign rally at the Peace Campus in her home county of Monaghan.
Tánaiste Simon Harris was also in attendance, warning of growing hostility towards politicians and vowing not to back down against those who seek to cause harm.
In her speech, Heather Humphreys highlighted community and farming as key issues and pledged to bring Áras an Uachtaráin closer to the people.
She said the three pillars to her campaign are community, unity, and opportunity in a hope to bring people together and break down barriers.
Ms Humphreys said she wanted to bring her life experience and the values that shaped her as a person to the office of the president.
She said over that time, be it working on the farm, working as the manager of Cootehill Credit Union, a local councillor, a TD or as a minister she has gained great life experience for the top job in the Phoenix Park.
She said she wanted to have reconciliation across the island and to strive to ensure all citizens can achieve their full potential as they take on the challenges in their lives.
“As President, I want to honour and celebrate the unsung heroes, the volunteers of the communities, whether it's the tidy towns, whether it's the GAA club, the Men's Sheds, the many different women's organisations, our agricultural shows, our youth clubs, and many, many more, those volunteers are the glue that hold communities together and hold our society together. As President, my mission will be not just to take people to the Áras, but take the Áras to the people.”
“I have seen the strength of women in my own family, in my community, and right across this country, women have been the ones holding things together. I know the challenges of policy, work and family. I know the sacrifices that are made and the pride and the hope and the love that comes with seeing your children grow.
“Motherhood teaches you resilience, teaches you patience and compassion, and those same qualities are what I would bring to the President.
“I think what my own mother would say is she will see all of this today, and I know she would be very proud, I thank God of the change that she saw in this country over her lifetime. So many changes. So I'm here today with the support of my family and friends. Eric, Eva, Sean, Arthur and Charlotte are with me today.
“I'm especially thinking of my youngest daughter, Tara and her husband Gerald, who had their first baby, a beautiful baby boy, just 48 hours ago. If you put you’re trust in me, I will work to the best of my ability to make you proud and be a President for all, I can only imagine and dream about the changes that baby James Eric McGovern will see over his lifetime as we look to next 100 years, I want to be a part of the conversation of what those next 100 years look like, if you place your trust in me and elect me your President.”
Among those backing her today were Joe Healy, former president of the IFA; Aogán Ó Fearghail, former president of the GAA; and Julie Sinnamon, the former CEO of Enterprise Ireland.
Speaking at the event in Monaghan, Simon Harris said Heather Humphreys had connected communities as a TD and minister and now she will bring people together as President if elected.
