9 Facts That Define Catherine Connolly

Ireland’s new President, Catherine Connolly, is clear about where she stands. Here are nine defining positions.

1. Immigration and Asylum: Connolly rejects the “Ireland is full” claim, saying it’s “a diversion from government failure.” She supports humane refugee policies, the reform of Direct Provision, and a compassionate approach aligned with international refugee law.​

2. Housing and Inequality: Connolly considers housing a human right and denounces property speculation as “a policy failure.” She calls for expanded public housing, stronger rent control, and restrictions on vulture funds.​

3. Irish Unity: Connolly backs a united Ireland “achieved by persuasion and inclusion.” She believes partition weakened Ireland and advocates a respectful, democratic path to reunification built on reconciliation.​

4. Irish Neutrality: Connolly insists that Irish neutrality is “our strongest defence.” She opposes NATO alignment, supports UN peacekeeping, and promotes conflict resolution through diplomacy, not militarization.​

5. Climate and Environment: Connolly calls climate breakdown a “moral emergency.” She urges investment in renewable energy, biodiversity protection, and climate justice that addresses inequality and rural development.​

6. Disability and Carers’ Rights: Connolly is a prominent disability rights advocate, pressing for full ratification of the UN Disability Convention. She campaigns for fair pay for carers and an end to what she calls “systemic neglect” of disabled citizens.​

7. Healthcare: Connolly calls the two-tier health model “a violation of equality.” She supports expanding public healthcare funding, restoring community hospitals, and ending the outsourcing of essential services to private firms.​

8. Education and Students: She opposes student accommodation privatization and believes higher education should remain public and accessible. Connolly supports rent caps and more state-backed student housing developments.​

9. Palestine and Foreign Policy: Connolly is one of Ireland’s strongest pro-Palestine voices. She has described Israel’s actions in Gaza as “genocide” and called Israel a “terrorist state” for targeting civilians. While she “utterly condemns” Hamas attacks, she insists peace requires dialogue and accountability from all sides, pressing Ireland to impose sanctions on Israel rather than offer symbolic gestures.​​