Byrne intends to keep broadcasting if elected to Áras

VETERAN presenter Gay Byrne has not ruled out continuing broadcasting if he was elected president and has dismissed comments about his age as a potential candidate as dangerous.

The 77-year-old hit back at the “ageist” comments made by independent candidate Sean Gallagher, who recently said the office of the president should not be seen as a “retirement” option.

Mr Byrne also hinted that if he ran and was successfully elected to the Áras that he would consider keeping up his broadcasting in some shape or form.

The former Late Late Show host admitted he would have to obviously consider giving up his television and radio work “unless you want a broadcasting president”.

He added: “Everything’s for consideration. There’s no reason why not. However, there you are.”

A new series of his popular Meaning of Life religious affairs programme is scheduled to be part of RTÉ’s autumn schedule.

His other broadcasting work at present includes hosting a Sunday afternoon show for radio station Lyric FM.

The show reportedly attracts Lyric’s highest audience.

Mr Byrne was contacted directly by Fianna Fáil party leader Micheál Martin over the weekend with an offer of support if he ran for the Park.

He has also received backing from other political figures, he claimed last night.

But the broadcasting legend rounded on recent comments by Mr Gallagher concerning the age of candidates.

The 49-year-old Dragons’ Den star had said the job needed energy and that the two most recent holders of the office were 48 when elected.

Mr Gallagher, who has support from five county councils, toured Offaly and Laois yesterday.

Speaking to Midlands 103fm, he said he had no concern about Mr Byrne possibly entering the race.

Mr Gallagher said: “It is a job that requires a lot of energy and dynamism if you’re going to travel the country and also work abroad to represent Ireland... that’s a matter for Gay to make up his mind.”

But Mr Byrne yesterday said he had the energy, adding: “They’re entitled to say what they like. I think it’s very risky for any candidate to say something like that. He or she would immediately be stamped as ageist.

“And it’s very dangerous in Ireland today to be stamped with any of the ‘ists’, whether it’s sexist or ageist or elitist or anything else. So I think it’s very foolish to make it, because that mean anybody over 65 is going to resent that. And you’re depending on those people for your votes.”

Mr Byrne also said outgoing President Mary McAleese was one of his favourite holders of the office ever.

“Mary McAleese would be pretty high on the list. The day that she declared her candidacy 15 years ago, I was unconditionally on her side. She will be a hard act to follow, whoever it is.”