TD wants councillors to have free vote to nominate presidential election candidates

To date, only two candidates for the upcoming presidential election to replace Michael D Higgins have been declared: Fine Gael’s Mairead McGuinness and Independent TD Catherine Connolly

Malcolm Byrne: 'A possible contender should be allowed on the ballot paper if our council groups around the country feel he or she has a good grasp of the Constitution and the role of the President, as well as respect for the institutions of the State and where such a candidate hasn’t been dismissive of Fianna Fáil.' File photo: Gareth Chaney/Collins

A Fianna Fáil TD has said party councillors should have a free vote for nominating presidential election candidates.

Wicklow-Wexford TD Malcolm Byrne told the Irish Examiner that enabling a candidate to run does not mean councillors need to back their campaign.