HEATHER PRIMED TO BE FINE GAEL CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT

A week ago, it seemed like never and now it seems only a matter of time – former Cavan/Monaghan TD and Government Minister Heather Humphreys looks increasingly assured of receiving the nomination of the Fine Gael party to be their candidate in the election of the new President of Ireland in October of this year. After days of intense speculation engendered by the withdrawal last Thursday of the party’s Mairead McGuinness from the contest for health reasons, former Minister Humphreys confirmed her decision to seek the nomination as McGuinness’s replacement on Northern Sound’s Joe Duffy Show on Tuesday morning, stating that she wanted to share the news with the people of Monaghan and Cavan first.

Her declaration came hours after MEP Seán Kelly from Kerry declared his candidature on RTÉ radio, following on from the decision of the Fine Gael Executive Council on Monday to reopen nominations for a two-week period. Initial expectations of a contest and an internal party voting procedure to determine the winner have gradually abated as overwhelming support for the former Cavan/Monaghan TD from the 58- member ranks of the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party have emerged. Twenty parliamentary party nominations are required to validate a candidature, and it was believed yesterday, Wednesday, that at least 38 and perhaps as many as 43 had indicated a Humphreys preference, a figure which if accurate seems to put MEP Kelly in an almost untenable position.

Sources cited in the national media were giving him the confirmed support of only eight of his fellow party MEPs, TDs and Senators. His situation is worsened by the recent precedent of the party leader, in this case Simon Harris, and the Director of Elections, in this case Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon TD, refraining from voting in the selection process. As we went to press the prospect of a…