Heritage campaigner seeks presidential nomination

The heritage protection campaigner Vincent Salafia has announced his intention to seek a nomination for the forthcoming presidential election on October 22.

Mr Salafia, a US-trained lawyer, is currently the public relations officer for the group campaigning against the construction of the M3 motorway in the Tara-Skryne valley in Co Meath.

He has also been involved in the campaigns to protect Carrickmines Castle in Co Dublin and Trim Castle in Co Meath.

Mr Salafia said today that he was seeking the support of 20 Oireachtas members to get his name on the ballot paper for the presidential election.

He said he was confident of securing the necessary support because he was independent and not affiliated to any political party.

Mr Salafia said he believed that, while heritage protection may seem like a narrow platform, it converged with a number of other important issues, including planning, corruption, economic policy, public transport, foreign investment and the democratic rights of citizens.

He also said he would be campaigning for a more compassionate society and a more equal distribution of wealth.

"Ireland is the most successful, capitalistic country in the world, but with that success and power should come compassion and duty," he said. "Sadly, we seem to be ignoring that, since Ireland now has the most uneven distribution of wealth in the EU."