Fine Gael presidential election candidate Heather Humphreys has said what is happening in Gaza is wrong, as she officially launched her campaign at the Peace Campus in her home county of Monaghan.
Speaking at the event, Ms Humphreys said what is happening in Gaza is "absolutely horrific", watching parents carrying their children in white sheets through the streets on the way to bury them.
She said the fighting needs to stop, aid needs to get in and the hostages need to be released.
Ms Humphreys backed the Government’s plan to change the triple lock and remove the requirement for UN backing before more than 12 Irish soldiers can be sent abroad.
She said she believed in Ireland’s neutrality, but as an independent country we should be able to take our own decisions rather than relying on China or Russia.
Asked if she would support a referendum on Irish unity, Ms Humphreys said Ireland needed to avoid replicating the outcome of the Brexit vote in the UK which was split 51% in favour of leaving the EU and 49% against.
She said that "wouldn't solve our problems" and contended the Good Friday Agreement is the "starting point" and her focus as president would be on bringing people together.
She declined to put a date on when a unity referendum should take place but said she would vote in favour.
Referencing her Protestant heritage, she said she attended Orange Order parades as a child, but her family discontinued the practice when the Troubles broke out.
The Fine Gael candidate noted that "things had move on" and she had attended St Patrick's Day parades in Monaghan in which Orange bands had participated.
She praised former president Mary McAleese for her efforts to build bridges between North and South and added she believes she was "well placed" to build on her work.
Ms Humphreys said housing is a "huge problem" and she believed President Michael D Higgins was "right" in speaking out on the issue.
She said she would "not be afraid" to speak her mind and represent the people when dealing with the Government.
The Fine Gael candidate defended herself against criticism from the Independent Senator Tom Clonan regarding disability legislation, saying her political record showed she had always been supportive.
Asked why Fine Gael's name was not on her campaign poster, she replied that it was on campaign literature.
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President 'represents country's values and hopes - Humphreys
Tánaiste and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris said Ms Humphreys has the passion and experience to serve the country and make a difference.
During a speech at the launch, Ms Humphreys said the three pillars to her campaign are community, unity, and opportunity.
She said she wanted to bring her life experience and the values that shaped her as a person to the office of the president.
She said, as president, she would celebrate the unsung heroes of our community to facilitate reconciliation across the island and to strive to ensure all citizens can achieve their full potential.
"The president represents our values and our hopes as a country - not simply those from any one political tradition or set of beliefs - but all of our hopes.
"I put myself forward conscious of those who have served with such distinction before me and I do not pretend to be perfect.
"I want to bring my life experience and the values that have shaped me as a person to the office of the president," Ms Humphreys said.
Among those backing her today were Joe Healy, former president of the IFA; Aogán Ó Fearghail, former president of the GAA; and Julie Sinnamon, the former CEO of Enterprise Ireland who described Ms Humphrey's as a bridge-builder and peacemaker.
Mr Harris said Ms Humphreys had connected communities as a TD and minister, and would, if elected president, bring people together and make them welcome, supported, and included.
"I am proud that my party, Fine Gael, is nominating her for this great office, but we do so knowing her ability to reach beyond party lines, her integrity and her understanding of the role of president.
"The presidency is above partisan politics, and Heather, more than anyone I know, would make sure it stays that way," Mr Harris said.
Ms Humphreys chose the Peace Campus in Monaghan town as the venue to launch her campaign for the presidency.
Working with communities and reaching out a hand of friendship will be key features of her campaign.
The Peace Campus is a shared space for people in the border region to address issues of separation and division.
Ms Humphreys said she believes this reflects her vision for the presidency: including working with communities, bringing people together, building bridges and reaching out the hand of friendship.
While she has conducted some radio interviews since securing the Fine Gael nomination earlier this month, today marks the beginning of her national campaign for Áras an Uachtaráin.
Meanwhile, presidential candidate Catherine Connolly is on a two-day visit to Cork city.
The Independent TD visited Cork's Coal Quay outdoor market, meeting stall holders and shoppers before heading to address the city's weekly pro-Palestine march.
She is due to visit a number of the city's shopping centres this afternoon, as well as the English Market before returning to the city centre to Daunth Square at 6.30pm.
