Claims Fine Gael is anti-democratic to oppose Independent candidates 'utter rubbish', says Tánaiste
Tánaiste Simon Harris: 'The Fine Gael party is backing the Fine Gael candidate, hold the front page.' Picture: Sasko Lazarov/© RollingNews.ie
Tánaiste Simon Harris has said that it is "utter nonsense" to suggest that Fine Gael is being anti-democratic by whipping its councillors to oppose Independent nominations to the presidency, taking aim at billionaire tech boss Elon Musk.
On Friday, Simon Harris's party instructed the party's councillors that they are not to support the passage of votes for Independents. Given the level of control at council level the party has across the country, this could close the door on runs by Independents such as Bob Geldof, Maria Steen, Gareth Sheridan, and Nick Delehanty.
A number of councils will meet in the coming weeks to hear from potential candidates pitching for the support of the members — including Kerry County Council, which meets on Monday.
The Fine Gael move brought criticism from Aontú and Independent Ireland, who accused Fine Gael of "shutting down" democratic routes to the presidency.
However, at his party's think-in in Mullingar, Simon Harris hit back at that idea, saying that it was an attempt at misinformation by Mr Musk, who accused the Fine Gael leader of "tyrannically blocking the will of the people of Ireland" and added " Conor McGregor for President to save Ireland".
Mr McGregor has asked Dublin City Council for permission to address its members in a bid to secure its nomination.
"Show me the line in the Constitution that says Fine Gael must nominate its political opponents. I mean this is balderdash, and it's the latest attempt at disinformation and misinformation which I see Elon Musk joined in today," Mr Harris said.
"And sure, why not? Back a man who has been found civilly liable for rape in our courts as a man he believed should be President of Ireland.
"He might have his say about who was president [of the] United States of America, but he's no say in terms of who the President of Ireland is.
"It's an utter nonsense: The Fine Gael party is backing the Fine Gael candidate, hold the front page.
"We have a very clear Constitution. You can get nominated with 20 members of the Oireachtas or get nominated with four local authorities," Mr Harris added.
Mr Harris said that, in the case of Kerry, his party holds six of the 33 seats, meaning that candidates could still get nominated. However, he said his party is fully behind Heather Humphreys as its candidate.
"It won't come as a surprise to anybody who understands anything about politics that the Fine Gael party is fully united behind the incredible, brilliant Heather Humphreys, who's going to make a super candidate and make a super president," he added.
Mr Harris said that his party's decision had been made in consultation with councillors, adding that it was one backed by them.
