Fianna Fáil vote on presidential candidate feels about as party political as it gets

There are some TDs, senators and MEPs who feel that the vote on their presidential nominee will also be on the identity of the party

Some within Fianna Fáil argue that Billy Kelleher held his seat in the party's electoral hammering of 2011 and was director of elections in 2016, so he should be given the party's nomination for the presidency. File photo: Brian Lawless/PA

When Fianna Fáil TDs, senators and MEPs get together next Tuesday, there are some who feel that they will vote not just on who their presidential nominee will be, but on the identity of the party.

When Billy Kelleher, sitting MEP, former senator, TD and minister for state comes up against former Dublin Gaelic football boss Jim Gavin in a vote of the parliamentary party, it will be the seasoned insider against the political newcomer and, for some, that raises a question of what Fianna Fáil represents.

Speaking to Claire Byrne on Monday morning, MEP Barry Andrews made the argument that its candidate should come from within the party, saying that "if someone from the party with Billy's vast experience comes forward, then you'd want to have a very good reason for going outside the party".

That line of thinking is not concentrated on Mr Andrews, with some having voiced the same sentiments privately in the last week and will likely form part of the argument when the Soldiers of Destiny meet next Tuesday. 

The argument they make is that the party has had a comparatively good election record in the last year or so and is the largest party in the Oireachtas and it should be putting forward a Fianna Fáil-centric vision of the presidency. 

There is also the question of what opting for an outsider says to those who soldier within the party through thick and thin. Mr Kelleher, they argue, held his seat in the party's electoral hammering of 2011 and was director of elections in 2016. 

What point party fidelity if high-profile nominations are gifted to interlopers?

The argument poses the question; why has Micheál Martin seemingly handpicked a party outsider to be what is likely to be his only presidential nominee as party leader?

The simple answer is that the belief among some in the party is that Mr Gavin stands a greater chance of defeating Heather Humphreys and Catherine Connolly. That he, the serial GAA winner, would not break that streak just because the action has moved from a football pitch to a campaign trail. 

There is a genuine and growing belief within the party that Mr Gavin is, in the words of justice minister Jim O'Callaghan "uniquely qualified" not just to be a nominee, but to win the election and to be President.

Having been slightly taken aback by the insurgent Kelleher campaign last week, those close to Mr Martin began a rearguard action on Thursday evening and by Friday TDs were declaring their support for a man who wasn't yet in the race. 

Michael Martin and Jim Gavin. Why has the Taoiseach seemingly handpicked a party outsider to be what is likely to be his only presidential nominee as party leader? File photo: Stephen Collins/Collins Photos

By Saturday, Mr Gavin was officially in with the backing of Mr Martin and by Sunday had seen the momentum shift to his side as nearly the entire Cabinet supported him.

On Sunday, children's minister Norma Foley made the argument that the role should be "held above party politics" while backing a candidate to represent her political party following a vote of party politicians in a race in which party political support is not just crucial but mandatory.

There is no animosity between the two sides, but the tenor of the debates next Tuesday will be interesting as the arguments are laid out.

Far from being held above it, the Fianna Fáil nomination shows that this is about as party political as it gets.