FF allows its councillors to make nominations for presidential race
PRESIDENTIAL hopefuls may have some reprieve in their search for a nomination as Fianna Fáil has left the door open for councillors to facilitate a nomination from local authorities.
Party leader Micheál Martin said councillors would be “advised” to back incumbent Michael D Higgins, but it is understood no whip will be extended.
Fianna Fáil is the largest party in local government, and on 22 councils nationwide a combination of Fianna Fáil, independents and smaller parties form a majority, meaning that there is potential for people to win a nomination via the local authority route.
While a sitting president can nominate himself, another candidate needs to have the backing of either four local councils or 20 Oireachtas members.
Speaking at an Association of European Journalists event in Dublin, Mr Martin said he would be “advising” his councillors to be “mindful” of the party’s position on the presidential election.
A senior Fianna Fáil source said councillors had a “constitutional role” in the process and those who facilitated a presidential candidate would not be punished by the party.
Fine Gael is due to make a decision on how to instruct its councillors when the party’s national executive meets next week, and local reps are to be consulted this week. It has not yet been decided how strong the line the party will take with councillors will be, however.
Sean Gallagher, who has yet to confirm if he will be contesting the election again, last night challenged the leaders of all political parties to immediately issue a direction to councillors “reasserting their right to nominate a candidate if they wish”. He said this was to ensure an “inclusive and democratic” election.
Fine Gael’s support for Michael D Higgins has been criticised by one TD as a “missed opportunity”. Peter Fitzpatrick said Fine Gael is missing out by not fielding a candidate in the “high-profile” campaign.
“People say Michael D Higgins is an Independent candidate but he’s been a Labour Party TD and a Labour Party minister. Fine Gael have two potentially great candidates in MEPs Mairead McGuinness and Sean Kelly,” he said.
Sinn Féin is due to make a decision tomorrow on the election and is expected to field a candidate of its own. Mary Lou McDonald has said there will be no distinction between councillors and TDs in relation to following the party’s decision.
Meanwhile, former Dublin Lord Mayor Christy Burke said he is considering entering the race. However he said given the ‘gagging order’ from the main political parties and the huge cost associated with running a campaign, he is unlikely to run.