Independent Senator Aubrey McCarthy has confirmed this morning that he has signed the nomination papers for Maria Steen, with just hours before the deadline closes.
Senator McCarthy said he had let Steen know earlier this morning that he would “certainly lend my nomination to her, and I would sign the papers this morning. That brings her to the late teens.”
Speaking on Morning Ireland, Senator McCarthy, the founder of the charity Tiglin, said that he would “not stand in the way” of the barrister and commentator getting on the presidential ballot.
Asked if he had found common ground with Ms Steen, the Senator replied: “We did. We had a fairly firm and frank conversation. As you know, I have different centres covering all sorts of social inclusion so it was important that we found common ground.
“We certainly did not agree on everything, However, if you look at the very process of democracy, and as an Independent, I wanted to be a true Independent as I am an Independent Senator myself. I was voted in on the Trinity Panel. So that’s why I said no, I cannot be one to hold back somebody if they are suitable as a candidate and if they qualify as a candidate.
“I’m not going to be one to hold that back, and so that’s why I agreed to put my name forward. The decision itself is not an endorsement of her campaign, but it certainly shows that I believe that she deserves the opportunity to make the case to voters. And then voters will decide who is best suited to serve.”
“I know she would be a very able, a very eloquent lady,” the politician added.
It comes after 73 Independent councillors penned a letter to Senator Michael McDowell asking him to sign the nomination papers for Steen “on the basis that we and a very large number of our constituents wish to have the choice of voting for her.”
The text of the letter, shared by Cork councillor Albert Deasy, noted: “Many of us, and many of our family members on our urgings, voted for you as graduates. Sinn Fein have declared for Catherine Connolly, so she is now the preferred candidate of all parties of the left. Fine Gael and Fianna Fail candidates will not be the preferred option for a very large number of voters who voted for us.”
It said that “exercise of the Party Whip and instructions to vote against independent candidates has resulted in a closed door in the vast majority of Councils.”
“So we are now depending on a handful of Senators and TDs to restore the equilibrium so that we the people can exercise our franchise. The personal preference of any one Senator, TD or councillor, is irrelevant. We are only facilitators in all of this. So again, we ask you to be a strong voice for Independents and nominate Maria Steen.”