McGuinness rules out running for Dáil but may consider presidential race
The former agriculture journalist and broadcaster failed to win a seat in the 2007 general election when she finished in fifth place in Louth, some distance behind Sinn Féin’s Arthur Morgan who filled the last of the four seats in the constituency.
Speaking on RTÉ radio yesterday, Ms McGuinness stressed that she would not be a candidate in the next general election. She remarked: “This is not breaking news. I have said this consistently.”
“I’m very happy that I’ve been re-elected to the European Parliament. I have made a commitment to those I met on the canvass who said ‘we want to vote for you but we want you to stay in the European Parliament. We think you do a good job’,” she added.
Asked if she would consider standing for the next presidential election to replace Mary McAleese whose second term in office is due to end in 2011, Ms McGuinness was less definitive.
“I’m not going to rule anything in or out in that regard,” stated Ms McGuinness, adding that it was a great honour to be considered for any election.
Her comments could set up a fascinating contest between herself and Fianna Fáil’s South MEP, Brian Crowley, who is also known to be interested in seeking election to Áras an Uachtaráin as well as former Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern.
On the subject of Fine Gael’s vote management in Ireland East, which failed to bring home the party’s two candidates, unlike in the 2004 election when Avril Doyle was also elected, Ms McGuinness stressed that she had done what was asked of her by the party leaders in terms of dividing the constituency with her running mate, the Kilkenny-based senator, John Paul Phelan.
She claimed her colleague had run a great campaign but admitted Fine Gael had not fully appreciated the strength of the vote for Labour in the constituency.
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