Early bird senator reveals presidency plans
The Fianna Fáiler revealed she would seek her party’s nomination to succeed Mary McAleese in 2011 as Ms White admitted she had always done things differently to other politicians.
“I never did anything in my life by conventional methods. I have never been a stereotype.
“I got myself elected to the Oireachtas against the odds and remain one of too-few women here.
“We have become far too materialistic and I want to help heal some of the social wounds. I would like to see much more attention given to children and also suicide prevention,” the senator said.
Ms White said she was keeping a close eye on the US struggle of strength between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama and wanted the former first lady to triumph, not because she is a woman but because she had more substance than her “unproven” rival.
Ms White insisted she would immediately bow out of the race if Taoiseach Bertie Ahern decided togo for the top job in Irish politics.
However, the senator said she thought Mr Ahern would be better off in the new role as president of Europe for which former british premier Tony Blair is now campaigning.
“I wouldn’t go against the Taoiseach, but I hope he will get the top European job — he certainly deserves it,” she added.
Ms White, aged 63, co-founded the chocolate-making company Lir and is married to Pádraic O’Connor, the multimillionaire former NCB Stockbrokers managing director.
Though President McAleese’s term of office is barely half way though, Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams has already firmly ruled himself out of the race for the Áras in 2011 despite strong party backing for him to stand.
