A local councillor is backing Heather Humphreys to become the next Taoiseach of Ireland. According to Fine Gael's Aidan Campbell, the prospect of Minister Humphreys leading the country is a "once in a lifetime opportunity" for the Co Monaghan native. Simon Harris is expected to formally throw his hat in the ring this afternoon but even before he does that he already has the backing of 23 TDs, Senators and MEPs, despite only needing six for the formal nomination.
Justice Minister Helen McEntee has now ruled herself out of the running while Simon Coveney excluded himself last night. Paschael Donohoe is refusing to say if he will run or not saying it's a "little too early" for all of that. While Minister Heather Humphreys has yet to confirm her position, Cllr Campbell said he has encouraged the local Minister for Rural Development and Social Protection to "put her hat in the ring."
"I know from speaking to a lot of Fine Gael members and councillors from the area that there's a lot of support for Heather to put her name forward. In my opinion there is no better woman for the job. She's done a brilliant job in her ministry for rural development and social protection. Minister Humphreys is in touch with the grassroots members of Fine Gael and always has her finger on the pulse. It's time that we all got behind Heather and encouraged her to go for this - it's a once in a lifetime opportunity."
