Wanted: Áras candidates

BOTH Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil have reluctantly accepted that they will now have to run candidates in next year’s presidential election.

Fine Gael has begun to consider who the party’s candidate for the Áras will be next November.

The Irish Mail on Sunday revealed last week that Fianna Fáil has already begun to compile its own shortlist, including Senator Pádraig Ó Céidigh and veteran Galway TD Éamon Ó Cuív. It is also aware that RTÉ’s Miriam O’Callaghan is interested. Both parties had favoured the return of Michael D Higgins without an election. However, declarations by Independents, such as Senator Gerard Craughwell, that they will run, coupled with the equivocation of Higgins himself, have now scuppered that plan.

A senior Fine Gael source noted: ‘We and Fianna Fáil have no option but to contest now.’

Another said: ‘You have to consider the age factor when it comes to Michael D.’

Within Fine Gael, former Taoiseach Enda Kenny, pictured left, has emerged as the initial favourite.

However, one party grandee warned: ‘The days of the golfing President are over; we need to find a candidate that symbolises the new, modern Ireland.

‘Maybe Simon Coveney might be the man for the job.’