Fianna Fáil delays decision on contesting Áras race

FIANNA FÁIL will decide on Monday whether to throw its weight behind an independent presidential candidate or to stay out of the race altogether.

The decision may hinge on an announcement by GAA commentator Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh, who is expected to declare tomorrow whether to run.

The 80-year-old has been discussing the matter with his family in Kerry in recent days and will make his intentions known by the end of the week.

He has said that, despite being approached by a number of parties, he would be running as an independent if he decided to contest the presidency.

A six-person FF sub-committee hopes to reach a unanimous decision on Monday in an effort to put party divisions on the issue behind them. It will present its decision to the 19 TDs and 14 Senators gathering for a parliamentary party meeting next Wednesday, in which Micheál Martin may face criticism. Many are angry with his handling of the issue after MEP Brian Crowley said he would not seek the nomination because of “divisions” within the party on the issue.

Deputy leader Éamon Ó Cuív said he still believes the party should put forward an internal candidate but said his decision on whether he will run will depend on decisions of the parliamentary party.

He said the controversy surrounding Mr Crowley’s announcement on Tuesday had not damaged the party, but said: “There are two opinions within the party, there’s no doubt about that.”

Another member of the sub-committee, Kildare South TD, Sean Ó Fearghail, said he believes the party should wait to see what independent candidates are in before deciding who to support.

But he said the party is likely to decide next week because “there’s a growing untidiness about the whole business, it’s been dragging on”.

Deputy Ó Cuív said he has not changed his opinion that the party should field a candidate.

“We’re a party with a particular outlook and a particular stance and, in cases like that, parties usually field a candidate,” he told RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta.

“From the outset, I was in favour of fielding a candidate, however, I will accept the majority decision on the matter. That’s to say, if in the end the majority are against fielding a candidate, as a member of the party I will accept that decision and, equally, those against fielding a candidate will accept the final majority decision, if that is to field a candidate,” he said.

Sinn Féin said it has established a committee to decide its strategy, to be announced after its Árd Fheis in September.

A spokesperson said reports that Dublin Central TD Mary Lou McDonald would contest the race were “pure speculation”.