Jim Gavin starts his presidential election campaign by outlining issues that will define Government

Mr Gavin, who served in the Defence Forces for 20 years, had to be asked three times if he saw any evidence of bullying or sexism in the force

The former Dublin GAA manager told the media he would not be afraid to push back on the Government if he were president. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA

Fianna Fail’s presidential election hopeful Jim Gavin has warned the Government will be “defined” by issues such as the “cost of living, housing and homelessness”.

He also insisted he never saw any wrongdoing in the Defence Forces. He only divulged this information after being asked several times.

He also said he would not answer questions about what he thought about US President Donald Trump, comments Catherine Connolly made on Germany re-arming itself in a similar fashion to how it did in the 1930s and Ireland’s ability to protect its skies.

On the first full day of the presidential election campaign, Mr Gavin, the former Dublin GAA manager, was in south county Dublin where he canvassed in Blackrock, Dún Laoghaire, and Dalkey.

Mr Gavin told the media he would not be afraid to push back on the Government if he were president.

“Cost of living, housing, homelessness, these are challenges of our time, and our government will be defined by them,” he said.

“The Taoiseach and the leaders in Government have said there is more work to do, and I accept that. As president, though, you are non-political. But I will, without fear or favour, highlight issues that are important to Irish people and represent them to the best of my ability.”

Defence Forces

Mr Gavin served in the Defence Forces for 20 years. He had to be asked three times if he saw any evidence of bullying or sexism in the force, as initially reported by the Women of Honour and later confirmed by a Commission on the Defence Forces.

“What I can say about that is that those Women of Honour, they have done the State some service by stepping forward,” he said. “There's an inquiry on now to learn from what happened.

“During my time in the Defence Forces, I served with pride. I served to the highest standards and set a very high standard for those people who I led and who I followed in the Defence Forces.

Jim Gavin canvassing in Dalkey. He was also in Blackrock and in Dun Laoghaire. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA

“I had a really positive experience in Óglaigh na hÉireann. It gave me great opportunities. It shaped the person I am today.

“I didn’t see any of that. That is not everyone’s experience, and I understand that.

“I championed those who put their name forward, and I think they've done the State a service.”

Donald Trump

Mr Gavin said he would welcome President Trump to Áras an Uachtaráin if he visited Ireland while the former Dubs manager was president.

When asked what he thought of Mr Trump, he said he was “not going to get into other present presidencies, other jurisdictions”.

He continued: “My candidacy is focused on what I'm going to do, what I'm going to bring, the positive message I'm going to bring to the Irish people, how we're going to represent them every day amongst the communities. That's what I'm going to focus in on.”

Military spending

Elsewhere, the Irish Times reported that independent presidential nominee Catherine Connolly told students in UCD on Wednesday evening that there are “parallels” between the current increase in military spending in Germany and its rearmament during the 1930s.

Mr Gavin once again said he was not going to comment on what other candidates have said, despite it being pointed out to him that he has repeatedly spoken about his military background and so he should have an opinion on whether her remarks were accurate.

He also said matters like whether Ireland should buy fighter jets would not be in his remit as president, so he would not give an opinion. He further refused to say whether he believed Ireland should have the ability to patrol its own skies, simply stating that the Government had noted “gaps in our defence”.