Five presidential hopefuls to lobby Council on Wednesday
FIVE prospective presidential candidates will make presentations to Sligo County Council tomorrow ( Wednesday).
They are all seeking a nomination from Sligo County Council in their bid to run for the Aras.
Each candidate must secure nominations from four Local Authorities around the Country.
They include two Dragon’s Den judges and entrepreneurs Peter Casey and Sean Gallagher (pictured right), Pieta House founder Senator Joan Freeman, former Aer Lingus worker Patrick Feeney and Roscommon farmer John Groarke, who was added to the list on Monday.
Sean Gallagher close to offically entering the race having secured his third council nomination on Monday.
The businessman won the backing of Leitrim County Council, Mayo County Council and Roscommon County Council.
Fianna Fáil are not officially nominating a candidate but a combination of Independent and Fianna Fáil councillors backed him in the above named local authorities.
Fianna Fáil holds the majority also on Sligo County Council.
It has been agreed with the Cathaoirleach to allow each candidate ten minutes to address the Council and make their presentations.
When the presentations are finished, councillors can pose questions to any of the candidates.
The councillors are entitled to nominate one named candidate.
In the event that a Member wishes to submit a motion to nominate a candidate, at least three clear days notice must be given of the intention to propose a resolution.
The earliest date a further meeting can be convened is Tuesday 18th September.
In this scenario the Council will vote at 10am on 18th Sep- tember, subject to the agreement of the Members.
Nominations must be submitted to the Presidential Returning Officer on the prescribed form by 26 th September 2018.
Sligo County Council did not nominate anyone in 2011.
Patrick Feeney from Galway received 22 votes in the 2016 general election in the Galway West constituency. He told Waterford County Council recently that he “hopes to be a break from the status quo”.
He says that he has been an advocate for health and housing in Galway.