Jim Gavin secures senior ministers' backing ahead of FF vote on presidential nomination 

It is understood that Jim Gavin has begun meeting with TDs and Senators but given the short timeframe, there will be members who will meet the GAA legend for the first time at the convention to cast their vote. Picture: Naoise Culhane

Former Dublin GAA manager Jim Gavin has received the backing of all of Fianna Fáil’s senior ministers, as the internal contest for party’s presidential nomination heats up.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin and his senior ministers were lined up to publicly throw their support behind Mr Gavin in what Cork TD Pádraig O’Sullivan deemed a co-ordinated effort to end the contest before it had officially begun.

While the process was announced on Monday, Mr O’Sullivan said that for some people it seemed to have begun last week, but he added: “Thankfully, some other people have respected the process.”

Mr Gavin has more than 20 public endorsements, including all eight senior Fianna Fáil cabinet ministers.

There are only a handful of public declarations for his opponent, MEP Billy Kelleher. 

However, a number of TDs indicated they would be backing the Cork politician, but would not be doing so publicly.

“If they’re not backing Jim, they’ll say nothing,” one supporter of Mr Kelleher said.

Another TD felt things are “not looking good” for Mr Kelleher, but others have said the private ballot could work in his favour as he is well thought of within the party and there is a certain amount of loyalty to him.

One week out from the party vote, the number of private commitments to back Mr Kelleher is believed to make for a “competitive” contest.

However, for those who remain undecided, there is a perceived pressure from the party leadership to publicly throw support behind the Taoiseach’s pick.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin and his senior ministers were lined up to publicly throw their support behind Jim Gavin for the Fianna Fáil nomination. Picture: Stephen Collins/Collins

The party’s process itself has come in for criticism as councillors are not included in the vote and members of the parliamentary party will have little time to meet and question either candidate ahead of next week’s vote.

It is understood that Mr Gavin has begun meeting with TDs and Senators but given the short timeframe, there will be members who will meet the GAA legend for the first time at the convention to cast their vote.

The lack of transparency around the process that led Mr Martin to select Mr Gavin and the absence of an open call for expressions of interest has led to a “level of frustration” among party members.

The process itself will require any prospective candidate to receive five nominations from the parliamentary party by Friday. A vote will then be held next Tuesday to select the candidate.

In an unusual twist, human rights activist and musician Bob Geldof held a phone conversation with Mr Martin over the presidency, after contact was made to the Taoiseach’s office on behalf of the singer.

“The Taoiseach rang him on Friday as a courtesy and they had a very serious and good engagement regarding the presidency,” a spokesperson for Mr Martin said.

“The Taoiseach told Mr Geldof that he was not in a position to nominate him and that he had made a commitment to Jim Gavin.”

One TD hit out at the Taoiseach for not providing a courtesy call to either Bertie Ahern or Mary Hanafin over their aspirations for the presidency.

“He [Mr Martin] rang Bob Geldof, no problem, but he wouldn’t ring back Bertie or Mary. Where is the courtesy for Bertie or Mary?” asked the TD.