O’Callaghan rules out presidency bid

RTÉ broadcaster Miriam O’Callaghan has ruled out running for the presidency next year.

It was reported over the weekend that Ms Callaghan had emerged as a surprise contender to succeed Mary McAleese, whose term expires in November 2011.

But in a statement issued on her behalf yesterday, RTÉ made it clear that Ms O’Callaghan would not be running.

“Miriam O’Callaghan would like to point out that, while she is delighted and honoured that some people are considering her as a potential presidential candidate, she would like to stress that she will not be standing for the position, independent or otherwise, in the upcoming election in 2011,” the statement said.

Ms O’Callaghan had already stressed that she was “apolitical, in that I am not in any way affiliated to any party and never have been. As a current affairs anchor that is an absolute essential prerequisite in my book”.

The weekend report had centred on the fact that several political parties viewed Ms O’Callaghan as a potentially formidable candidate with the “correct mix of profile and credibility”.

A Fianna Fáil source was quoted in the Sunday Tribune as saying that the popular presenter would be “a very strong candidate”, while a Fine Gael source said she would present “an incredible modern image for Ireland”.

MEP Brian Crowley is considered the favourite to be the Fianna Fáil candidate, although Senator Mary White is also seeking the nomination.

Fine Gael speculation as to its candidate has centred on MEP Mairéad McGuinness.

Labour’s Michael D Higgins is expected to seek his party’s nomination, while former Labour senior adviser Fergus Finlay has also expressed an interest in running. Independent Senator David Norris has also made clear he will seek a nomination.