SF to keep its Áras rivals guessing
‘Six weeks is plenty of time’ ‘Pity people in North can’t vote’
SINN Féin has rejected suggestions its decision to wait until September before it unveils its Presidential candidate is a bid to avoid proper scrutiny.
The party announced yesterday that it would meet to select a candidate on September 16 – just six weeks before Ireland makes it choice.
The chairman of the party’s presidential election committee, David Cullinane outlined the selection process yesterday.
Nominations will open on August 20 and close on September 10, while the party’s Ard Chomhairle will meet on September 16 to select the candidate.
Mr Cullinane denied that naming the candidate at such a relatively short period before the election was an attempt to avoid full scrutiny.
‘There will be plenty of time to put any and every question to that prospective candidate, we are not in the business of hiding,’ he said.
‘A six-week campaign is a long enough campaign; we are confident those six weeks will be plenty of time for our candidate to make a difference.’
The party’s candidate will challenge President Michael D Higgins after he announced his intention to seek a second term in office earlier this month.
There may be a number of other candidates in the running, however, no one has officially put their name forward. Independent senators Joan Freeman and Pádraig Ó Céidigh, artist Kevin Sharkey and businessman Gavin Duffy have all expressed an interest in running.
It’s understood that Sinn Féin MEP Liadh Ní Riada has been sounded out for a bid by the party hierarchy.
It’s reported she will decide this weekend on whether or not to run for the Sinn Féin nomination. As the daughter of one of Ireland’s greatest composers, Seán Ó Riada, Ms Ní Riada would appeal to the traditional music community as well as supporters of the Irish language.
Party leader Mary Lou McDonald has also indicated that she wanted to see a female candidate. Under the Sinn Féin selection process, the cúige – or regional group – can nominate two candidates which must be backed by the six cumainn.
‘Sinn Féin is in this campaign to win,’ Mr Cullinane said.
‘We want this to be a contest. We want this to be about the future of Ireland.
‘We want this to be a national election. It’s a pity people in the North don’t have a vote, but we will mobilise people from all over Ireland, all 32 counties to get behind our candidate.’