Mairead McGuinness has withdrawn from the Fine Gael presidential nomination race, saying her health “must now be my priority.”
In a statement issued today, the European Commissioner confirmed the decision followed a recent hospital stay and was taken on medical advice. She said she did not believe she had the strength to give the campaign her all with the election just months away.
“This decision is not lightly taken,” she said.
“Given that the election is in a short couple of months, I do not believe that I have the strength to give the campaign my all.”
McGuinness thanked Tánaiste and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris for his “support and understanding” and asked for privacy in the period ahead.
“I appreciate that this will come as a shock and disappointment to party members and colleagues in Fine Gael, but our political family is strong,” she said.
“My focus now is my health and my family.”
Harris said McGuinness had made “an incredible contribution to public life in Ireland and in Europe,” and that it was Fine Gael’s view she “would make an excellent President of Ireland.”
“Mairead’s health will not now allow this,” he said.
“This has come as an awful shock to us all. Mairead is a valued member of our Fine Gael family. It is absolutely essential that she now prioritises her health.”
The Tánaiste said the party’s Executive Council would meet in the coming days to consider its next steps in the presidential election.
“But that’s for the time ahead, not for today,” he added.
“Today I want to pay tribute to Mairead. I want to thank her for all she has done. I want to wish her and Tom and their family all the best at this time.”
Fine Gael’s Director of Elections for the upcoming presidential contest, Minister Martin Heydon, also paid tribute to McGuinness’s record.
“I wish to join with An Tánaiste, my Fine Gael Parliamentary Party colleagues and our members in acknowledging and paying tribute to Mairead McGuinness, who has served Fine Gael and Ireland with distinction in her public life,” he said.
Heydon confirmed the Executive Council will meet shortly to discuss the party’s next steps.
The presidential election is scheduled to take place in the coming months, with political parties yet to finalise their candidates. Fine Gael must now select a new nominee following McGuinness’s withdrawal.