Cork MEP Billy Kelleher launches campaign for Fianna Fáil presidential nomination

Billy Kelleher is canvassing colleagues for Fianna Fáil’s presidential nomination, emerging as an early frontrunner in the race

Earlier this week, Mr Kelleher declined to rule himself out of the race. File photo: Brian Lawless/PA

Cork MEP Billy Kelleher is now actively and formally canvassing support within Fianna Fáil to contest the upcoming presidential election for the party.

Multiple Fianna Fáil sources confirmed Mr Kelleher has been in contact with them to seek support for his bid for the party’s nomination.

One source said Mr Kelleher’s entry into the campaign “could possibly” change the thinking of Fianna Fáil’s leadership on whether or not to back a candidate in the internal race.

“People seem very enthusiastic about Billy’s campaign… He is way ahead,” they said.

Earlier this week, Mr Kelleher declined to rule himself out of the race.

Multiple TDs remarked upon his role as chair of the Oireachtas Health Committee during the debate surrounding the 8th Amendment, where he advocated for its repeal, as positives for any campaign.

It is expected the party will announce its process to select a candidate in the days ahead, with Taoiseach Micheál Martin promising to do so before the end of the summer.

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TDs expect there will be an open nomination process, before a vote is held within the parliamentary party to select its candidate.

It is possible Mr Kelleher will come up against former Dublin GAA manager Jim Gavin in the battle to receive the Fianna Fáil nod.

TDs supporting Mr Kelleher highlighted how he is an internal candidate, compared to Mr Gavin who is coming from outside the party.

Other candidates seeking the Fianna Fáil nomination include former Government ministers Mary Hanafin and Eamon Ó Cuiv.