Mairead McGuiness' withdrawal leaves only one clear candidate for presidential election
Catherine Connolly has secured the backing of Labour, the Social Democrats, People Before Profit, and a range of other independent politicians and at her campaign launch late last month said that she is “ready” to be president of Ireland as “part of a movement”. Picture: Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews.ie
The withdrawal of Mairead McGuinness from the presidential election leaves what had been an unclear picture even foggier.
With just ten or eleven weeks to go, there is just one candidate left in the race who has the requisite support from the Oireachtas to be on the ballot. No councils have, as yet, shown a willingness to back candidates.
Catherine Connolly has secured the backing of Labour, the Social Democrats, People Before Profit, and a range of other independent politicians and at her campaign launch late last month said that she is “ready” to be president of Ireland as “part of a movement”.
It is unlikely that Ms Connolly will be alone in the field for long as Fine Gael gets set to convene its Executive Committee.
In the wake of Ms McGuinness's withdrawal, speculation focused on a quartet of names; former ministers Heather Humphreys, Frances Fitzgerald, and Simon Coveney, and sitting MEP Sean Kelly.
While her former ministerial colleagues have kept their counsel, the former justice minister ruled herself out. On Friday afternoon, Ms Fitzgerald confirmed to the that she would not seek the nomination, having declined to do so earlier this year. She had said in April that she discussed the possibility with Fine Gael leader Simon Harris and had been approached by “many people”, but would not be entering the race. She has since joined the consultancy firm Teneo.
Mr Coveney joined EY as a consultant in April, but has been suggested by some in Fine Gael as a potential candidate. Mr Coveney previously served as a minister in a number of briefs — including foreign affairs, agriculture, and enterprise. However, he called time on a political career that spanned four decades after opting not to contest last year's election.
Ireland South MEP Mr Kelly, who was elected with a massive 127,000 votes last June, opted not to contest the Fine Gael nomination race, leaving the way clear for former European commissioner Ms McGuinness. However, he is believed to be reconsidering his position in light of Ms McGuinness's withdrawal and sources believe he will run for the party's nomination, having been interested earlier this summer.
Ms Humphreys, the former social protection minister, has emerged as the favourite within the party, though some have questioned whether she would change her mind given her reasons for leaving politics. Ms Humphreys opted not to contest the last election, having been elected in 2011 and serving as a minister in a number of departments.
She was seen within Fine Gael as someone who might contend this year's election, but speaking to the on Northern Sound in May, Ms Humphreys said that while she had given the idea some thought, she was committed to spending more time with her family.
Within Fianna Fáil, some members of the parliamentary party believe that their candidate will not emerge until the middle of September, with Taoiseach Micheál Martin recently unequivocally ruling himself out.
The party's issue is that it does not have an obvious candidate. Former taoiseach Bertie Ahern has long been linked with a run, but has appeared cool on the idea at times. Former minister Mary Hanafin was vocal last month that the party should run a candidate before writing to members asking that she be put forward. That idea was rejected by many TDs. University of Ulster professor Deirdre Heenan has been reported as being in talks with the party, while former footballer Niall Quinn is another name that has been suggested.
Party president Mary Lou McDonald kicked off huge speculation by not ruling out a bid for the Áras in July, but it is expected that a final decision from the party will be made in the next two weeks. Some believe using Ms McDonald as a presidential candidate would be "a waste", while others believe the party should row in behind Ms Connolly as a show of left-wing solidarity.
Last week, pharma entrepreneur Gareth Sheridan announced he was entering the race. Largely unknown, the 35-year-old has said that he has enough support to have his nomination brought to at least four councils. Another businessman, Nick Delehanty, also 35, ran in local and general elections in Dublin under the tagline “make crime illegal” and has said he is seeking the nomination. He told the Irish Examiner he has the same number.
Lord of the Dance star Michael Flatley last month told a court that he “intends to seek nominations to run for President", but said this week that he will make his intentions clearer soon.
Former MMA fighter Conor McGregor last week set up a petition seeking people to express their wish for him to be on the ballot paper. reported that Mr McGregor is considered a legal challenge to the eligibility rules, though it is not clear upon which grounds the challenge would be based.
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