Norris inches closer to ballot paper

Senator David Norris has won the support of Waterford City Council in his bid to secure a nomination for the presidential election, bringing to three the number of local authorities backing him.

Councillors voted six votes to three with five abstentions.

The development brings the Senator neck and neck with erstwhile rival Dana Rosemary Scallon, with both would-be candidates now drawing on the support of three councils.

"My sincere thanks to Waterford County Council who have just given me my 3rd nomination," tweeted the Senator after the vote - despite it having been the City Council that gave him the nod.

"One more to go!"

Senator Norris had earlier suffered a setback after a motion to nominate him was defeated by 20 votes to nine, with seven abstentions, by Cork County Council.

Dana secured her third nomination earlier this morning with the support of Donegal County Council.

Councils in Westmeath and Longford meeting later this afternoon are also widely expected to be favourable to the former singer.

Dublin City Council and Cavan County Council meet later this evening, while Kilkenny County Council gathers early tomorrow morning, ahead of the midday deadline for nominations.

Meanwhile other presidential candidates are hitting out at the process used to nominate independent contenders.

Declared independent candidate Sean Gallagher said other independents should not be making it more difficult for candidates to enter the race once they themselves have secured the required four council nominations.

Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness said all serious contenders should be afforded every opportunity to contest for the Áras.

"The debacle of the last couple of weeks raises all sorts of questions about future presidential elections," Mr McGuinness said.

"People like Dana and David Norris, who are serious candidates, should have been afforded every opportunity to participate in this election without the ridiculous scenes that we have witnessed over the past few days."