Government representatives in Clare have denied the Presidential candidate nomination process was “undemocratic.”
It comes as the three Áras an Uachtaráin hopefuls have begun their campaigns in earnest today.
On Friday October 24th, voters will only have a choice between Fianna Fáil’s Jim Gavan, Fine Gael’s Heather Humphries and Independent TD Catherine Connolly.
With the government parties backing their own, the left uniting behind Connolly and Fine Gael Headquarters instructing county councillors to block independent hopefuls, the local authority process has come in for sharp criticism.
While on the Oireachtas front Aontú and Minister of State Michael-Healy-Rae have accused some Senators of failing to facilitate democracy as Maria Steen ended up just two signatures shy of the 20 required.
However Tulla-based Fianna Fáil Minister of State Timmy Dooley insists all prospective candidates had a fair shake and were simply deemed not fit for office.
Only Wateford, Tipperary and Kerry County Councils nominated candidates for the Presidency on this occasion, while 18 Independent Oireachtas members also declined to sign nomination papers.
Independent Ireland, meanwhile has proposed a reform to the nomination process, which would allow Ireland’s elected MEPs to decide along with Oireachtas members, while the support of 80 county councillors would also be sufficient.
Bodyke Fine Gael TD Joe Cooney says that contrary to reports, his party’s councillors were free to exercise free will and that “it’s now time for the best horse to jump the fence”.
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