FF deny move to back Norris

FIANNA FÁIL sources have played down the prospect of the party facilitating any move by Independent senator David Norris to get back into the presidential race.

Mr Norris pulled out of the race in August amid personal controversy over a clemency letter he had written for a former lover convicted of having sex with an underage boy.

Since then, however, a poll has shown that Mr Norris retains considerable public support, and there has been increasing speculation he is considering reentering the race.

To obtain a nomination to run in the election, however, he would need to get the support of 20 Oireachtas members or four city/county councils.

The council route appears to be a non-runner, and while Mr Norris has retained the support of some Independent TDs and senators, he would not have the 20 names required.

It was reported yesterday that individual Fianna Fáil TDs and senators might consider nominating Mr Norris to get him across the line were he to reenter the race.

Fianna Fáil is not running any presidential candidate, and a Norris candidacy would offer the party the prospect of helping defeat the Fine Gael and Labour campaigns for the Áras.

But separate Fianna Fáil sources yesterday played down the likelihood of the party supporting Mr Norris.

A party spokesman, meanwhile, said if a person sought the support of Fianna Fáil Oireachtas members, the parliamentary party would “have a look at it and discuss it”.

But Mr Norris had been “fairly emphatic and conclusive in withdrawing from the race”, the spokesman added.

Meanwhile, Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams has confirmed that his party intends to run a candidate.

The party’s Ard Comhairle will meet later this week and a decision is expected to be announced shortly after.

At Sinn Féin’s Árd Fheis at the weekend — held in Belfast for the first time — Mr Adams said the party should “support the nomination of a candidate” to be president.

“A candidate who is capable of winning the support of progressive and nationalist opinion. And who will reflect the broad republican spirit of the Irish people at this time,” he added.

He subsequently confirmed on RTÉ Radio yesterday that all the candidates being considered by the party were internal ones.

Elsewhere in his speech, he accused the Government of “betraying” citizens’ hopes.

“Fine Gael and Labour tore up their election commitments. Instead they are implementing Fianna Fáil policy. Labour spends its time defending the imposition of unfair taxes on the lowest paid,” he said.