Mayo TD describes imminent election result as 'a positive upheaval'

Mayo Sinn Féin TD Rose Conway-Walsh has hailed the imminent election of Catherine Connolly as the 10th president of Ireland as 'a positive upheaval'.

She elaborated: "It's really significant because those who voted for the Galway West TD showed that there is an alternative to the current Fianna Fáil/Fine Gael administration.

"It shows they are willing to vote in another way rather that for those two parties and I am grateful that they did."

Asked if the parties on the left will stick together on the lead-up and during the next general election campaign in four years time, the Erris-based representative observed: "Nobody can predict the future but there are many areas of common ground that we have shown we have on the left during this election.

"This, I believe, will continue. We had a private members bill on Irish unity in the Oireachtas a short time ago and there was unity there.

"We will find a common ground on other issues in which we can work together for the betterment of people.

"The electorate know now there is an alternative to Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael and it does not have to be the way it is now.

"The housing crisis and the health challenges remain very difficult and people are really suffering.

"The cost of living situation and the Budget also had an big impact on the election outcome.

"People will be asking why the government can keep spending huge amounts of money and the general public are so much worse off.

"Families are struggling to pay their bills, they are struggling to get by."

Asked what will be the impact at local level, she said a lot more people will be canvassing for candidates on the left in the next general election.

"People who never canvassed before will be coming out in favour of Opposition candidates.

"Overall, I think it is also a great day for the prospect of Irish unity and Catherine Connolly is very committed to it going forward.

"And that is very important to Sinn Féin and our members here in Mayo.

"What has happened is an upheaval, but a very positive upheaval."

Meanwhile, Heather Humphreys has congratulated Catherine Connolly on "becoming the next President of Ireland".

"Catherine will be a president for all of us and she will be my president and I really would like to wish her all the very, very best."

"I have absolutely not one regret," Ms. Humphreys added.