More senators to nominate Norris

PRESIDENTIAL hopeful David Norris received a boost to his campaign to get his name on the ballot paper after two more senators offered to nominate him.

The Independent senator now has the signatures of 15 Oireachtas members, including himself — five short of the 20 required for him to contest the presidential election in October.

He could now rely on the support of Fianna Fáil TDs and senators who are considering whether or not to back his nomination.

Fianna Fáil Senator Darragh O’Brien said he will be asking colleagues over the coming days to help Senator Norris’s efforts to get on the ticket.

The party has not yet made a decision on whether to put forward a candidate but Galway West TD, Éamon Ó Cuív has expressed an interest in standing.

In separate statements yesterday Independent Senators Katherine Zappone and Fiach MacConghail said that while they will be voting for Labour’s candidate, Michael D Higgins, they will nominate Mr Norris so he can enter the race.

They both said the electorate should have the choice to vote for Mr Norris who is the most popular choice for the job according to the latest poll showing he has a support level of 25%.

“We live in a democracy and as such, I believe that Senator Norris has a right to be in the race for the Irish presidency,” said Ms Zappone.

“David is a man of great courage and a pioneer in the field of human rights. The Irish people should have an opportunity to vote for him if he is their choice.”

Senator MacConghail said Michael D Higgins was a “visionary” who “after a lifetime of dedication to justice at home and internationally, is best placed to represent our country as the future president of Ireland”.

But he said it was part of his responsibility as a senator to encourage “public conversation on the future well-being and governance of our Republic”.

He said: “This debate can only be improved by the quality of candidates in the forthcoming election for president. In my opinion it should not only be politicians who should decide the candidates for the presidency.”