MEP Billy Kelleher a 'real live option' for Fianna Fáil presidency nomination

A source within Fianna Fáíl said Mr Kelleher is a 'credible' candidate, adding their preference would be to see an internal candidate selected rather than someone brought in from outside the party. Picture: Jonathan Brady/PA

Fianna Fáil MEP Billy Kelleher has not ruled out seeking his party’s nomination to run for President, as some TDs say he would beat former Dublin GAA manager Jim Gavin in an internal vote.

Mr Kelleher said he had previously been approached as a possible candidate for Fianna Fáil.

“People did approach me some time ago, particularly some parliamentary colleagues, just saying would I consider it," the Cork MEP said. 

"Lots of names were being discussed at the time in terms of MEPs across the various political parties and people did approach me at the time.

“But I didn't give it any personal consideration or political consideration.”

Asked if he would consider it if approached, Mr Kelleher told RTÉ Radio: 

The point I'm making is if you were approached, well obviously you would have to give a consideration. But I wasn't approached by the leadership. I was approached by some colleagues.

It comes as several TDs have privately backed Mr Kelleher if he seeks the party nomination, with one TD saying there are people “lining up behind” the Cork MEP.

“He won’t be like Seán Kelly, he won’t struggle to get on the ballot,” they said.

“It’s a real live option.”

Another TD said Mr Kelleher is a “credible” candidate, saying their preference would be to see an internal candidate selected rather than someone brought in from outside the party.

A senior party source said Mr Kelleher is popular within the parliamentary party, pointing out his long time as a TD and MEP.

If there’s an open nomination process and it’s put to the parliamentary party and it’s Billy versus Jim, Billy would win three to one.

Another TD said they did not believe Mr Kelleher was seeking the party’s nomination until his radio intervention on Tuesday, adding he is now “a wee bit serious”.

Multiple TDs highlighted that Mr Kelleher would potentially be the only candidate in Munster, with Fine Gael’s Seán Kelly unlikely to get on Fine Gael’s ballot.

It comes amid speculation that Mr Gavin is a serious prospect as a candidate for Fianna Fáil, with the party’s Dublin cohort believed to be enthusiastic about the former GAA manager.

Meanwhile, Sinn Féin is not expected to make an announcement surrounding its intentions for the presidential election for a number of weeks.

The party’s justice spokesman Matt Carthy told reporters people are more concerned about the costs of returning children to school than the upcoming election.

We are considering all the options. Either we put forward our own candidate or we support another candidate. Those options are very clearly on the table.

One senior party source said they expect minds to begin to focus on the election next week, but there is no “sense of urgency” to make a decision.

The source said Independent TD Catherine Connolly’s campaign is not inspiring, adding they expected the Galway TD to take advantage of the vacuum while no other candidates are formally in the race.