WATCH: Humphreys issues direct appeal to the voters of County Roscommon

Presidential candidate Heather Humphreys has asked voters in County Roscommon for their support, urging them to look at her track record and place their trust in her experience, particularly of representing Ireland on the world stage.

In Kiltoom this afternoon ahead of the Intermediate County Football Final between Éire Óg and Strokestown, she urged voters to put their support behind her if they were looking for a “centre ground, pro-European common sense person who has worked hard and brings experience to this job”.

She also issued a direct appeal to the Fianna Fáil voters in the county for their support.

“I am putting myself before the people as a centre ground, common sense, pro-European candidate. The presidency is above party politics, and I am asking voters in Roscommon to place their trust in me so that I can bring my experience to the role of President,” she said.

“I served in Cabinet for 10 years overseeing the successful 1916 Commemorations; supporting businesses through Brexit and the pandemic; rolling out hot school meals to young children across the country; enhancing supports for our pensioners; and investing in local communities, including here in Roscommon.

“I won’t let our country down and I will represent Ireland with pride diplomatically and culturally at home and on the world stage.

“I have represented Ireland abroad on countless occasions, leading over a dozen international trade missions to the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Germany, Hong Kong, China, South Africa, Kenya, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Japan. Throughout my career, I have worked hard to build relationships and enhance Ireland’s reputation abroad. If elected, I want to place a major emphasis on presidential trade missions to secure investment and jobs for Ireland. I have the experience of helping Irish companies get new markets abroad and attracting new companies into Ireland.

“I have always worked constructively with people and parties from across the political spectrum. I have served in Government at different times alongside Fianna Fáil, the Labour Party, the Green Party and Independents. During my time on the council in Monaghan, I worked alongside members of Sinn Féin for the benefit of our local area. I have always worked in a spirit of cooperation with everybody for the betterment of our country and I would bring that same ethos to the Presidency.

“I humbly ask the people of Roscommon to look at my track record and place their trust in me to represent them with integrity in Áras an Uachtaráin.”