Frustration builds among TDs as Fianna Fáil remains vague on possible presidential candidates 

Party members raised concerns about the impact the parliamentary party might have on the decision-making, saying it could simply act as a rubber-stamp for Taoiseach Micheál Martin’s preferred candidate.

Frustration is building within Fianna Fáil over the secrecy surrounding the party’s possible presidential candidate, with TDs concerned they may simply be asked to rubber-stamp a decision by Taoiseach Micheál Martin.

Parliamentary party members have raised concerns about the current process, with Mr Martin taking soundings before a wider deliberation with the party.

“There’s a lot of frustration now,” a TD said, “We don’t know what the story is.”

They said they were receiving pressure from the party’s grassroots over the process, adding that local party members want to know for whom they are going to be canvassing.

Another raised concerns about the impact the parliamentary party might have on the decision-making, saying it could simply act as a rubber-stamp for Mr Martin’s preferred candidate.

“I’d say we’ll be told a name and that’s that,” they said.

Other TDs have backed the current process, highlighting the challenge of having a candidate in the field during the quiet summer months.

One said there’s still time for a candidate to emerge, citing how Fine Gael is now on its second nomination process.

But they believed any candidate put forward by the party needed to be “competitive”, while another TD said Fianna Fáil must engage in the race.

“What’s the point in a political party if you don’t engage in elections?” they said.

It came after Cork MEP Billy Kelleher called for an urgent meeting of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party to discuss the process.

However, Mr Martin has said he intends to update the party on its position towards the presidential election at the end of August, shooting down Mr Kelleher’s suggestion.

Several former Fianna Fáil politicians have expressed an interest in running for the party, including former ministers Mary Hanafin and Eamon Ó Cuiv. Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has regularly been mentioned as a possible candidate, but has yet to declare an interest.

Fine Gael

Meanwhile, Fine Gael MEP Seán Kelly has signalled he will remain in the race to be his party’s nominee for president, despite trailing former social protection minister Heather Humphreys in endorsements.

Ms Humphreys has received the backing of 42 members of the parliamentary party, compared to 12 for Mr Kelly.

Under party rules, any candidate is required to get a total of 20 parliamentary party members to nominate them to allow for a run.

With 59 TDs, Senators and MEPS, this makes it impossible for Mr Kelly to get on the ballot unless a number of Ms Humphreys' supporters switch allegiance.

Mr Kelly told Clare FM that Ms Humphreys had not stolen a march on him and the race was not “a done deal yet”.

I’ll be keeping the show on the road and see how it goes… There’s no point in saying otherwise, there does seem to be a difficulty in getting enough nominees in the parliamentary party in this present time.

“We’ll keep up the good fight.”

Sources close to Mr Kelly indicated he had 12 “solid” nominees from Fine Gael TDs and Senators, however they admitted it would be an “uphill battle” to get on the ballot.

Nominations will remain open until September 2, and if there is only one candidate, they will automatically be made the nominee.

If there are multiple candidates, a vote will take place, with Fine Gael using an electoral college system. Votes are heavily weighted towards the parliamentary party, accounting for 55% of the vote, while local members make up 30% and councillors 15%.

However, when asked if Mr Kelly might accept loaned votes from Ms Humphrey’s supporters to get him onto the ballot, one source dismissed the prospect.

They said an internal party contest would be healthy, with party members last having the chance to cast a vote on a presidential candidate or leader in 2017 with the contest between Leo Varadkar and Simon Coveney.

Meanwhile, the Green Party is expected to decide on whether to back Independent candidate Catherine Connolly in early September, as the party continues its consultation.

The Social Democrats, Labour, and People Before Profit have already backed her campaign.