Higgins: Dana’s citizenship of interest

PRESIDENTIAL front-runner Michael D Higgins has said “it would have been in the public interest” for Dana to have publicised her American citizenship.

Speaking in Cork, the Labour candidate refused to speculate on whether this alleged duplicity could cost the Derry woman votes.

“It is not up to me to speculate. It’s up to the Irish people on the 27th to decide what background the candidates have, what they bring to the contest, what proposals they have for the presidency. It really isn’t very useful if I speculate beyond that. The public are very intelligent. I have great faith in them.

“It would have been in the public interest if it had [been made known]. It is clear from what I read that this is a matter that has a family dispute to it and that must be very distressing. I have always drawn a distinction between the personal circumstances of my competitors and the political circumstances.”

The Galwayman said he was finding the latest Irish Times and Paddy Power poll results “very encouraging” and said he found he wasn’t worried that he’d fall at the final post.

“I find the phrase its his ‘campaign to lose’ an unusual phrase to tell you the truth, something you’d read in the horse racing pages — he’s going well and is he going to hit last corner. I find it very encouraging that there has been a very consistent response... the fact that polls are showing me at a steady rate, at a gradually increasing rate is better than a dramatic takeoff that could be adjusted later,” he said.

“I believe the campaign is now in a new phase. All the discussion about the coming and goings of the candidates is over. People are now into it: What is the role of the President. I do believe that when they look at the background of the different candidates, the different competencies acquired in the office, that’s the reason I’m staying where I am. I think that I will have advantages over the other candidates. At the end, what you need is a fine even gait to the finish.”

Michael D launched his presidential campaign at the Clarion Hotel in Cork before visiting the Mayfield Arts Centre where Cllr John Kelleher introduced him to the staff and service users.

His wife Sabina travelled with him and they met with many people who attend the centre and with artists participating on the Cúig arts project, which is due to exhibit in London shortly. Michael D had asked to visit the centre as its project takes part in artistic exchanges with a community project in Nicaragua. Michael D has a long-time affiliation with the Central American country, where he has supported numerous humanitarian projects.

Sabina said she believes her husband serves to inspire people as he has “been an inspirational person in public life”.

“A real thing is happening out there. He has been an inspiration. His whole record is there. He has been an inspirational person in public life. When he comes, they might be showing work they’ve done. He’s inspired. They’re inspired. Between the two, there’s a new reality and a growth.”