Dana vows to continue presidential fight

Former MEP Rosemary Dana Scallon has vowed to continue her fight to secure a nomination for the presidential election on October 22.

Reports this morning said the Fine Gael leadership had ordered its councillors not to support Ms Scallan's efforts to secure a nomination.

However, the former Connacht-Ulster MEP, who needs the backing of four county councils to get her name on the ballot paper, said she wouldn't be deterred by the directive.

Meanwhile, the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, has insisted the Fianna Fáil leadership has not ordered its councillors to block Ms Scallon's bid to get nominated.