Health fears to keep Heather Humphreys out of Dáil politics if she doesn't become president

Presidential candidate Heather Humphreys talking to 'Irish Examiner' Acting Political Editor Paul Hosford on her campaign trail in Fermoy Co Cork, last week. Picture Eddie O'Hare

Heather Humphreys has ruled out a return to Dáil politics if she is not successful in next week's presidential election.

Ms Humphreys retired from politics last year after a decade at Cabinet, citing concerns over her health and energy levels. This summer she made a return to politics to become the Fine Gael candidate for the presidency following the withdrawal of Mairead McGuinness.

Amid a gruelling campaign, Ms Humphreys said while she feels good now, she will not be aiming for a Dáil comeback should she fail to become president.

"I won't be going back to the Dáil. I have given it everything, and if I get this job, I'll give it everything as well. 

"I have really had a great time in politics, and it's been an honour to serve the people of this country, both the people of Cavan and Monaghan and the people of this country on the international stage on many, many occasions."

Ms Humphreys had been mentioned in early speculation around who her party might run for the presidency, but had opted out of the race in May, clearing the way for former European Commissioner Mairead McGuinness. 

However, when Ms McGuinness stepped out of the race, Ms Humphreys says she did not immediately pick up the phone to party leader Simon Harris.

"I had a number of people locally saying to me that I should consider it. So I let it be known that I was willing to to put my name forward. I know Mairead McGuinness very well, and I was very sorry that she had to step back. But I saw this as an opportunity for me. So I said, I'll go for it."

Asked what changed between last October's retirement announcement and August, Ms Humphreys admits to having been burned out following 10 years of Cabinet duty.

"I sat back from national politics. I wasn't going to run again for the Dáil in November of last year, and I really have had a great break. 

"I finished up as a minister in January. I took time out. I've been out in the garden. I absolutely love my garden, loads of fresh air. I cleared my head. I was tired. I probably was close to burnout.

Ten years at Cabinet was enough for me, and I stepped back. And then this opportunity presented itself in August, and as they say, timing is everything, and it couldn't have happened at a better time for me, because I was in great form, and I felt at that stage I had more to give.

Asked about her time as minister for social protection, Ms Humphreys says she is proud of her achievements in passing pay-related benefits for those who lose jobs and establishing auto-enrolment pensions for workers from January. 

But seeing her previously stated desire for pay-related maternity benefit slipping off the agenda was disappointing. "There's always competing interests, but I'd like to see pay-related maternity benefit. I'd love to see it in place.

"If you're not getting paid by your employer, and you just get the basic payment, you can have a big drop in your income. So if you have a long work record and you have paid your contributions, it's important that when you have to take time off work, that you shouldn't have to face this cliff-edge drop in your income. 

"I did look at maternity-related benefit, but I just couldn't do everything in the first year. But hopefully that will come in time. Because I think when women take time out to have children, they deserve to be supported in every way they can."

What's your view on this issue?

You can tell us here

With Jim Gavin's exit from the race, Ms Humphreys and Catherine Connolly remain the two campaigning candidates, meaning the election is now largely pitched as an opposition candidate versus one representing the Government. 

However, Ms Humphreys says she would not be afraid to speak out against her former Cabinet colleagues.

"I'm certainly not known for a hiding under a bush. Where I see injustices, I will speak up, and that's what got me into politics in the first place. I always had strong opinions and strong views. But I will listen to people and where I see injustices, I will speak on their behalf.

"Having said all that, I will also operate within the Constitution, because the President is the custodian of our Constitution, every piece of legislation goes through the Dáil has to be signed by the President of Ireland, so I will carefully read the legislation, and make sure that I'm satisfied it is within our Constitution."

On her priorities if elected, Ms Humphreys plans to introduce a community recognition award and a youth advisory council and says she will aim to "build bridges" in the North.

I am a Republican. Absolutely. I once said during 2016 and I still say the same thing: I'm a proud Ulster woman, and I'm a proud Irish Republican, Irish Republican in the sense of 1798, the United Irishmen, Wolfe Tone, where you have equality and you have community, and you have justice, and everybody's treated the same. 

"I absolutely believe in that, and I believe in the right for people to choose their representatives. I want to work with communities in Northern Ireland, and I want to build those bridges. 

"I want to deepen understanding. I feel that I am well placed by virtue of the fact that I'm only six miles from the border (Monaghan). I'm from a Protestant background, I'm from a minority community, and I do understand the challenges. I absolutely do. I know what it was like during The Troubles, how difficult it was for people, and I feel that I'm very well placed to reach that community."