Clare’s Independent TD has pledged to back an Independent Presidential candidate.
It follows a call from fellow independent, Roscommon-Galway TD Michael Fitzmaurice, who says it’s their duty as elected members to facilitate someone who wants to run for the presidency.
Presidential hopefuls must receive support from 20 members of the Oireachtas or approval from four county councils to secure a place on the ballot for the election.
So far, Senator Joan Freeman, Kevin Sharkey, Gavin Duffy, Gemma O’Doherty and Patrick Feeney have all been canvassing for support.
A number of candidates have approached Clare County Council so far seeking a nominations to run for president and have submitted requests to support their bids – the matter will come before the county’s elected representatives next month.
Michael fitzmaurice, a TD for Roscommon-Galway, says it’s the duty of indepedents elected to the Oireachtas to facilitate someone who wants to run for President and has called for them to come together to fnominate a candidate.
19 have so far backed the plan including Clare TD, Dr Michael Harty.
The Presidential election is likely to take place in November and some have expressed the view that the current President Michael D. Higgins should be allowed to run unopposed.
These people in Clare have been telling us whether they think that should be the case.
