Conor McGregor has pledged to act as the voice of the people of Ireland if he is elected to the presidency next month.
Dubliner McGregor, 37, the first fighter to hold two world titles simultaneously in the history of the UFC, has stated his ambition to be on the ballot to replace the Irish president Michael D. Higgins when the nation goes to the ballot box on October 24 — and McGregor, a fierce critic of the current political establishment in his home country, says that it is high time that the Irish public’s representatives begin to work in the best interests of the people.
“Good morning, citizens of Ireland. I am here today outside the office of the Taoiseach, where we are now over 200 days into the formation of the current government,” McGregor said in a video recorded outside an entrance to Dáil Eireann, the lower house of Ireland’s political assembly.
“In these times, this government has cost us our peace of mind, our security, our hope for the future. The general well-being of Irish citizens nationwide has decreased dramatically. We have seen the homelessness of Irish children rise to levels unprecedented, proving this government’s refusal to abide by and respect our Proclamation, which declares that all children of Ireland are to be cherished. Instead, our children are abandoned.”
McGregor also noted public criticism of the existing immigration status in Ireland; a topic which has become central to the country’s political debate in recent years.
“This incompetent failure of future generations has been accompanied by an intense influx of mass migration into an already severed system,” he said. “Our tourism has sharply declined, while danger on our streets has risen.
“Ireland, as a master of martial combat, as a solution-driven man, you will hear me speak on a problem but once. Then it is action toward a solution. I urge all our citizens to be the same.”
He added: “Today, Ireland, I am outside the gates of these appointed officials. But as your head of state, you empower me to enter these buildings on your behalf. A president, face to face with government officials, with only one priority: to ensure that the country our founding fathers gave their lives for is strictly adhered to on behalf of its citizens.
“Ireland under my tenure—the will of the people will be heard. Ireland under my tenure—we will return important articles of our constitution, prior and thus again aligning with Pádraig Pearse’s Proclamation: that we declare the right of the people of Ireland to the ownership of Ireland and to the unfettered control of Irish destinies.
“Irish men and Irish women, in the name of God and of the dead generations from which she receives her old tradition of nationhood, Ireland through us summons her children to her flag and strikes for her freedom.”
McGregor had previously expressed his opposition to some of Ireland’s political policies while speaking at an event at The White House in Washington, D.C. as a guest of US President Donald Trump as part of the United States’ annual St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
The nomination period for candidates for the Irish presidential election began on September 5 and remains open until midday on September 24. The Irish presidential election takes place on Friday, October 24.
