Poll: Who would you vote for in the presidential election?

James Cox

Big names have been slow to emerge ahead of the election, but many are likely to set out their stall in the weeks to come given the election must take place by Tuesday, November 11th.

 

Former minister Mary Hanafin is to seek the Fianna Fáil nomination to contest the presidential election.

The Tipperary native and former Dún Laoighaire TD has told the Irish Independent she is "in the mix".

Ms Hanafin said: "“If I could contest it, I would happily do that. It’s a role I would hope people could feel I would do well, both nationally and internationally."

Fianna Fáil hasn't put forward a candidate for the election since 1997.

The party decided to sit out the 2011 presidential election after a disastrous showing at the general election earlier that year, while in 2018 Fianna Fáil opted not to challenge President Michael D Higgins.

Ms Hanafin, 66, feels sitting out the 2025 presidential election is not an option.

“I think it would be an insult to the office of president if the largest political party doesn’t contest it. It’s a really important constitutional role,” she said.

“I think the nomination should be decided earlier rather than later. I know it can make it a very long campaign, but for a candidate to campaign well I think you could go around the country and actually talk to people."

Ms Hanafin has had a number of disputes with Taoiseach Micheál Martin in the past. In 2011, she lost out to Mr Martin in the Fianna Fáil leadership contest, and in 2014 she ignored his request not to stand in the local elections in Blackrock.

However, she said they are now on good terms.

Ms Hanafin served as education minister, arts minister and social protection minister during her time in government.

She is the first big name in Fianna Fáil to make her intention to seek the nomination clear. Former taoiseach Bertie Ahern, former minister Éamon Ó Cuív and MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú have all been linked with a bid.

Big names have been slow to emerge ahead of the election, but many are likely to set out their stall in the weeks to come given the election must take place by Tuesday, November 11th.

MEP Seán Kelly and former MEP Mairead McGuinness are likely to compete for the Fine Gael nomination.

Speaking to reporters in Brussels, Mr Kelly said he is considering running but has not yet made up his mind.

He also said an internal contest for the Fine Gael nomination would be a positive.

"Democracies thrive on elections, without elections, you can't have democracies. The members like to be able to exercise their franchise," he said.

It was recently revealed that Ms McGuinness claimed €800,000 in MEP expenses for office rent and other costs when using family property in Co Meath as her constituency office.

This is within EU Parliament rules. However, The Irish Times reports some Fine Gael sources feel it is a "point of discomfort" in the presidential campaign because of the prospect of questions being raised on the matter. 

Sinn Féin has not selected a candidate yet, but Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill has not ruled out a bid.

At a press conference in Co Armagh, Ms O'Neill was asked about the possibility of her running in the election.

She replied: "I think I’ve plenty to do, being First Minister. But I would think the fact remains that I could stand for election, I could be elected as Uachtarán na hÉireann, but I can’t vote in that election, so that’s where there’s a deficit and what we need to see is presidential voting rights extended to the North so the Irish citizens in the North can vote.”

Former SDLP leader Colum Eastwood was also linked with a presidential bid. He told the BBC that people had asked him to consider a presidential bid.

“I’m going to take the time to think about it."

In terms of so-called celebrity candidates, recently retired radio presenter Joe Duffy and broadcaster Miriam O'Callaghan have been linked with a presidential bid.

Duffy has not ruled it out, while O'Callagahan has been consistently linked with a bid over the years.

Less likely is Conor McGregor, who has made his desire to run no secret, however, he would likely find it difficult to be nominated by at least 20 members of the Oireachtas or the backing of at least four local authorities — city or county councils.

Take our poll below to choose who you would like to vote for in November.