The Labour Party has decided to support Galway TD Catherine Connolly in her campaign for the Presidency of Ireland.
The decision to back Deputy Connolly was made at a joint meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) and the Party’s Executive Board (EB) on Thursday evening.
At the meeting, PLP and EB members were briefed by the General Secretary on the Party’s membership consultation process which concluded earlier this week.
That consultation showed a clear majority of members in favour of supporting Catherine Connolly TD in the Presidential election.
Following a discussion, the PLP and EB proceeded to agree to support the campaign.
The meeting also appointed Ciarán Ahern TD, as the Labour Party’s co-ordinator with Catherine Connolly’s campaign.
Speaking after the meeting, Deputy Ahern said that Labour was backing Deputy Connolly for president in the “spirit of supporting the development and growth of the Left across the country and demonstrating that an alternative politics is possible here, a cause which our party leader Ivana Bacik has led and promoted over recent years.”
“While there are issues where we have differed with Deputy Connolly, we are determined that the social democratic values of equality, justice and tolerance should shape the Presidency over the next seven years and follow the legacy of Michael D Higgins.”
“We believe that Catherine Connolly shares those values, and has put them into practice during her political career.”
“Catherine will make an excellent President, campaigning and advocating for the common good.”
