Covid response epidemiologist could 'solve an Oireachtas problem' with presidential run

Dr Mike Ryan has previously said the world is breaking the bodies and minds of the children of Gaza. File Picture: Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty

Dr Mike Ryan, the Irish epidemiologist who became synonymous with the global response to the covid pandemic, could "solve an Oireachtas problem" and find support for a presidential run from across parties.

Mr Ryan was dropped from the new executive management team at the World Health Organization (WHO) last week amid a funding shortfall due to US cuts. That has seen the 60-year-old Sligo man mentioned as a potential nominee for the role, with his name flagged within internal discussions of the Labour Party.

Labour has been involved thus far in discussions on a potential combined left candidate, with some saying that Mr Ryan's lack of party affiliation, coupled with his strong stance on Gaza, makes him a strong candidate.

Given the shared history of both Labour and the Social Democrats, neither party is likely to find widespread support on the combined left for a party grandee such as Róisín Shortall. However, some said that Mr Ryan's lack of political experience is a negative.

"You don't know how he'd campaign. These things are gruelling — especially if you've never done it before," a source said.

Potential candidates

Sources across opposition parties said there is "a long way to go yet", and that it is unlikely that a candidate will become clear before later this summer. However, a Fianna Fáil source said that while there is unlikely to be a combined coalition candidate, Mr Ryan could garner support from across the Oireachtas.

"If the majority of the Oireachtas was behind one candidate, that could solve a problem for everyone in terms of deciding who to back," a government TD said.

Within Fianna Fáil, the process for electing a candidate has yet to be decided and, while a source said "many names" have been discussed, none has a consensus.

A Fine Gael source said that while Mr Ryan would be "a very good candidate", their party is keen to run a candidate and win the election. 

Former European commissioner Mairead McGuinness and former GAA president and current Ireland South MEP Seán Kelly are touted as potential candidates, with both said to be interested in a run.

There has been some speculation Sinn Féin would back a combined left-wing platform candidate, with Independent senator Frances Black and Independent TD Catherine Connolly touted as possible names.