Dragons’ Den pair could breathe f ire into battle for the Áras
TWO Dragons’ Den co-stars could be battling it out in the race to be the next President. It is expected that Gavin Duffy will launch his campaign for the Áras next week, while former Presidential candidate and TV show co-star Seán Gallagher said he has not ruled out running.
Speaking to the Irish Mail on Sunday, Mr Gallagher, who ran in the 2011 Presidential race and was a Dragon investor on the TV show for three years from 2009, said: ‘I have neither ruled in nor ruled out a run at this point in time.’
Senator Gerard Craughwell, former GAA president Liam O’Neill and political commentator Noel Whelan have all pulled out of the race.
Meanwhile, former supporters of independent Senator Joan Freeman, who has also declared her intention to run, expressed concerns that her pro-life views could compromise her duties as President. Ms Freeman, Pieta House founder and an advocate on mental health issues, said: ‘If there is to be legislation she will not block this. She believes absolutely in the democratic process.’
Although he has not yet declared, independent senator and Aer Arann entrepreneur Pádraig Ó Céidigh is favourite to secure the support of a panel of 20 TDs and senators being assembled by independent TD Michael Fitzmaurice to select a candidate. To stand for election as President, a candidate who is not an incumbent must be nominated by at least four local authorities or 20 members of the Oireachtas. Mr Ó Céidigh told the MoS that he is ‘seriously considering entering the contest, but is still taking advice on the matter’.
Sinn Féin intends to run a candidate and party opinion is strengthening in favour of MEP Liadh Ní Riada. She has not disclosed her intentions, but sources say ‘the reality is that she is (SF leader) Mary Lou’s pick. She is the apple of Mary Lou’s eye.’