IT’S SINN FÉIN VS MICHAEL D FOR THE ÁRAS
Mary Lou hints party may choose a female candidate
MICHAEL D Higgins looks certain to face a Sinn Féin presidential challenge when the country goes to the polls in October to elect the next occupant of the Áras.
Meanwhile Seán Gallagher, the runner-up last time out, wrote to all councils asking them to nominate candidates – a sign he may well run again.
Sinn Féin is to select a candidate on Saturday. But the real SF aim is to prepare the ground for the presidential election after that when the worldwide Irish diaspora is expected to have a vote.
Mr Gallagher led for most of the 2011 race, only to be portrayed as a proxy Fianna Fáil candidate. RTÉ highlighted a fake tweet that effectively scuppered his chances, leading to a compensation payout.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald hinted yesterday at standing a woman from the North, and has previously highlighted the possibility of a female flagbearer.
The party was saying nothing on who it would nominate but it is believed that MEPs Liadh Ní Riada and Lynn Boylan could be put forward, though Ms Boylan is believed to be reluctant to run.
Others mooted include Sinn Féin vice-president Michelle O’Neill and Geraldine Finucane, widow of murdered solicitor Pat Finucane.
Fine Gael is tonight expected to decide to follow Fianna Fáil’s declared support for a second term for the incumbent president, who formally confirmed yesterday he would be running again.
Three independent senators are wondering if they can get on the ballot: Gerard Craughwell, Pádraig Ó Céidigh and Joan Freeman. Donegal artist Kevin Sharkey has similarly declared a desire to run.
The signs are the list of candidates for the election could approach, or even exceed, the seven names who went forward in 2011.
Former Rose of Tralee Maria Walsh was reported to have been interested in running for the role but this was quickly denied. The Boston native would not be eligible as she is not yet 35 years old.
The support of 20 Oireachtas members or four local authorities is needed for a person’s name to appear on the voting paper. Mr Gallagher asked all yesterday to hold nomination meetings to facilitate democratic participation.
Mr Higgins, for his part, availed of a Constitutional provision to nominate himself as an independent candidate.
He said: ‘Many [people], in recent conversations with me about our country and its future, have expressed an opinion that I should offer myself again as a candidate.
‘I am grateful to have had their advice, and indeed to have had the opportunity of reflecting on their suggestions. This has been invaluable to me.’
He enters a likely contest as the favourite to secure another sevenyear term, despite in 2011 saying he would only serve a single stint.
An announcement from the Áras yesterday declared: ‘President Michael D Higgins wishes to confirm that he will be offering himself as an independent candidate, under Article 12.4.4 of Bunreacht na Héireann, when the ministerial order for a presidential election is made later in the year.
‘The Government has been informed of this decision. The President’s programme of official duties and engagements continues.’
Senator Craughwell immediately complained that Mr Higgins had timed the announcement to leave as little time for others to organise as possible, with the Dáil due to rise tomorrow for summer recess.
He said he was ‘quite angry’ at how late the President had left it to announce his intentions.
If there were any ranklings in Fianna Fáil over the party’s decision not to contest – possibly leaving it to Mr Gallagher to hoover up their votes again – members were disguising it.
Fianna Fáil TD Éamon Ó Cuiv, who had nurtured a hope to follow his grandfather Éamon de Valera into the Park as President, said: ‘This matter was fully discussed at a parliamentary party meeting, and a decision arrived at not to contest the Presidency. That is party policy and as such I fully support it.’
FF leader Micheál Martin said his party had made it clear Mr Higgins had done a very good job. ‘He has been a strong President, he has been engaged, and he has represented the country abroad with distinction.
‘He has reached out across many communities in this country, especially to young people, and I believe he is worthy of re-election.’
The people of Ireland wanted a President who would respond appropriately at key moments in the national narrative, he said, and he had done that very well, the 1916 centenary being a case in point.
‘He has been on the pulse of the people,’ Mr Martin said. ‘That is what the people want in a President, and I don’t see any reason why one should oppose him for the sake of opposing him.’
Asked whether he was not just ceding valuable ground to Sinn Féin, Mr Martin said: ‘No. That was all said seven years ago and it didn’t come to pass, and so I have no fears in that regard.’
Ms McDonald hinted her party will select a candidate to run on a United Ireland platform.
The party’s ard comhairle is expected to meet in Dublin this Saturday to formally decide whether to run a candidate.
Paying tribute to President Higgins, who she said has ‘served with distinction’, she said the time had come for a large national conversation about Ireland.
Asked about her ideal candidate, she said: ‘In the North there is a decided shift in the demographics, there’s been a shift in election results in terms of what was always
Could be more than seven candidates Anger at lateness of announcement
deemed to be the in-built unionist majority. There is now, in real terms, talk of Irish unity, of a referendum on Irish unity at whatever point. I think Irish society needs to talk about that and I think we need to prepare for them. I think, in electing the First Citizen, that is the type and the tenor of the debate that is necessary.’
She added: ‘And Brexit looms large, with all of the jeopardy but also with all of the change that that can bring as well. I can’t think, personally, of a better time for us to have a national conversation as to what Ireland is, as to where we’re going.’
The Sinn Féin leader said her preference would be to select a nominee from inside the party, but this will be a matter for the ard comhairle to decide.
Asked if she had anyone in mind, she replied: ‘I think there’s any number of people who could credibly contest, who I think could lead and inspire over seven years.’
FG party chairman Martin Heydon said yesterday: ‘A decision will be made on Fine Gael’s approach to any potential Presidential election at the parliamentary party meeting after it is discussed by party colleagues.’
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar believes Mr Higgins should be supported in seeking a second term.
‘He has been on the pulse of the people’