Mary Lou McDonald has said that Sinn Féin councillors will not be ordered to oppose Independent candidates who are seeking a nomination through the councils to run in the race for President.
Sinn Féin’s decision is in contrast to the confirmation by Fine Gael leader, Simon Harris, last week that his party is instructing councillors that they must “oppose that nomination” of any Independent candidate at council level.
“Our councillors are very sensible people with a lot of cop on. They will go to their meetings. They will listen. They will hear what people have to say,” Ms McDonald told RTÉ’s Paul Cunningham.
Amongst the Independent candidates seeking a nomination are family campaigner, Maria Steen, and businessman Nick Delehanty. Candidates must be either nominated by 20 members of the Oireachtas, or be nominated by at least four local authorities – the two ‘routes’ available.
Mary Lou McDonald also said this morning that she will not be running for president. A Sinn Féin candidate has not yet been announced, saying she “needs to lead from the front” in opposition.
“The Uachtarán will play a very, very important role at a time of huge opportunity and transition in Irish life,” the Sinn Feín leader told Morning Ireland. “For that reason, I’ve considered very carefully what we as a party do, but also what I do myself, personally.
“I’m mindful also that there is a real need to get Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael out of government, and also to keep them out of the Áras.
“But for me, at this point in time, my effort has to be in respect of holding this government to account day in daily, building a real alternative as to when the next general election occurs.
“So for those reasons, I’ve informed some of my colleagues over the weekend, my name will not go forward for that reason.”