Fianna Fáil not to contest Áras

For the first time in history Fianna Fáil has opted out of the presidential race. The party confirmed today that it will not field a candidate to contest the election.

The decision, taken at a lengthy meeting of the parliamentary party today, did not go to a vote and goes along with the recommendation of a sub-committee that met on the issue earlier this week, which was chaired by Michael Martin. The TDs and Senators agreed "by consensus" with the view of the party leader that entering the contest would not be in the best interest of the party.


Some 20 members spoke at the meeting, which lasted over three hours, much longer than had been expected. Many of those who did speak were in support of party leader Michael Martin including Limerick City TD Willie O'Dea. Not all those present however were in agreement most notably deputy leader Eamon Ó Cuív who spoke strongly in favour of the party running a candidate.

Several of those present said that the issue being pressed to a vote was never a realistic option, as it would have been seen as a challenge to the authority of the leader. At a press conference after the meeting Mr Martin said that it has been a difficult decision for the party and "understandably there have been different perspectives and position" expressed by members.

The meeting in Leinster House was the first parliamentary party meeting for Fianna Fáil since the summer break and the first since the party's failed overtures to TV man Gay Byrne became public.

Martin rejected the suggestion that he handled the situation badly, firstly by making what became a very public approach to the broadcast legend, and secondly by not been more encouraging to South MEP Brian Crowley who had expressed a very strong interest in contesting the election.

He said that he had been criticised in the media for making a direct approach to Mr Byrne but insists that it was "old politics" to use an intermediary and his preference was to use the "direct route". Adding that knowing Gay Byrne as he did he was aware of the way he did things in a public manner.

"I know that when you make a phone call to Gay Byrne that will happen," he said.

Mr Martin said he did not agree that Brian Crowley's willingness to run was badly handled, saying he met the MEP last Easter and spoke with him again during the summer and they agreed to wait until the end of August.
He said Mr Crowley is an excellent candidate but research conducted by the party suggested he was getting very much a Munster showing and his support was not strongly based nationally.

Fianna Fáil says it will advise members how to vote in the election once nominations close at the end of next month. The party also remains open to the possibility of facilitating the nomination of any independent candidate.

Meanwhile, former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has said he believes he would have “done all right” in the presidential election but for the decline in the popularity of Fianna Fáil. The ex-party leader is now predicting that the Fine Gael candidate, Dublin MEP Gay Mitchell, will be the next president. Mr Mitchell is appealing to Fianna Fáil members to support his presidential bid but it is not yet clear how voters will react to an endorsement by the former taoiseach.

The Government announced yesterday the closing date for nominations for the presidential elections will be September 28th. Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan said voting would take place on October 27th, with polling stations open between 7am and 10pm.

Four candidates have already indicated they have secured the support required by the Constitution. These are; Gay Mitchell of Fine Gael; Michael D Higgins of Labour; and Independents Seán Gallagher and Mary Davis.

A formal decision, on whether or not to field a candidate to run in the election, would be made by Sinn Féin early next week.