Clare’s Fianna Fáil TD says his party colleague Eamon O’Cuiv will have to run as an Independent candidate if he decides to run for President.
Timmy Dooley says the matter of Fianna Fáil’s nomination for the presidency is closed as the party is backing Michael D Higgins.
Some local Councillors are trying to mount a campaign to get TD Eamon O’Cuiv on the ballot but Deputy Dooley says that won’t happen.
Meanwhile, Senator Joan Freeman and businessman Gavin Duffy will make their first appeals today as they bid for Presidential nomination.
Waterford City and County Council will be the first to declare this afternoon after holding a special meeting to hear from the two candidates.
According to the guidelines, parties have to secure the backing of four local authorities in order to get on the ballot paper.
