Heather Humphreys sticks with her portrayal of Catherine Connolly as a far-left politician

Presidential candidate Heather Humphreys with minister for finance, Paschal Donohoe, at the Jameson Distillery in Dublin this afternoon. Also,  the Fine Gael candidate also outlined her proposals for presidential trade missions, saying it was important in future State visits that 'a big focus' is put on trade. Picture: Stephen Collins / Collins Photos

Heather Humphreys has doubled down on her characterisation of independent presidential candidate rival Catherine Connolly as a far-left politician, despite being accused of using "politics of fear and smear".

In a debate on Sunday, Ms Humphreys repeatedly questioned Ms Connolly about issues relating to the campaign, including her stance on EU referendums, her position on the Russia-Ukraine war, and the hiring of a woman convicted of a firearms offence.

This led to Ms Connolly accusing the Fine Gael candidate of using “the politics of fear” and “the politics of smear”.

On Monday, Ms Humphreys was asked if she was able to say anything positive about Ms Connolly. In response, Ms Humphreys said she had known Ms Connolly a long time, with both having been TDs.

“I respect Catherine and the mandate that she holds from the people,” Ms Humphreys said. “But I asked Catherine some very straight questions, and I think they’re legitimate questions because we need to get answers, and I still haven’t got answers.”

Pressed further if she had anything positive to say about Ms Connolly, Ms Humphreys said she knew her to be a “decent woman, absolutely”.

Her views are different to mine. I’m a centre-ground, pro-business, pro-European person. Catherine is to the left, to the far left actually, in my view, but she can defend that herself.

“I will continue to ask legitimate, fair questions, and I’d like her to answer them," Ms Humphreys said.

Ms Humphreys added she was “glad” former Labour leader Alan Kelly had announced he would be voting for her, saying she is looking to get “all the votes I can get”.

“It’s important that I get votes from right across the board,” Ms Humphreys said, citing her work in Government with Fianna Fáil, Labour, the Green Party, and independent TDs. “I’d ask their supporters to please consider me for their number one vote.”

Meanwhile, the Fine Gael candidate also outlined her proposals for presidential trade missions, saying it was important in future State visits that “a big focus” is put on trade.

What's your view on this issue?

You can tell us here

“We’re a small open economy, we’re living in a changing world. There are tariffs, we have to find new markets,” Ms Humphreys said.

Ms Humphreys said whenever the president visits a country, it brings the visit to a “whole new level”. Asked if this was merely akin to introducing a second enterprise minister role, Ms Humphreys said that was “absolutely not” the case.

“I think I will be a president that will speak up for people. I will be a president that will focus on communities, that will focus on the volunteers and the huge contribution that they are making,” Ms Humphreys said.

She added it was her intention to introduce a community award for “people who step up to the plate”.