FORMER head of the GAA Sean Kelly has blown the whistle on his Presidential ambitions – clearing the way for Mairead McGuinness to become Fine Gael’s runner in the race to the Aras.
It comes as Fianna Fail TDs and Senators sit on the fence about whether or not their party should enter a candidate into the Presidential election for the first time in almost 30 years.
With Michael D Higgins set to vacate the Aras in November and an election expected in October, the clock is ticking down for wannabe presidents to get their names on the ballot paper.
Ireland South MEP Sean Kelly had previously expressed an interest in becoming Fine Gael’s candidate for the election however, he dramatically dropped his candidacy today.
This leaves the way clear for former European Parliament Vice President Mairead McGuinness to secure Fine Gael’s nomination with just one week left in the party’s nomination process.
Kerry man Sean Kelly said: “I have given it a lot of consideration. It’s probably the most difficult decision I’ve had to make – certainly in my political life.
“I looked at the pros and cons and I asked myself one question – am I happy with what I am doing at the moment and I said I am, would I be happier spending seven years in the Aras considering John B Keane said a day out of Kerry is a day wasted and I said perhaps not.
“So I looked at all the pros and cons and I am very disappointed in some respects because it is only something that comes along once in a lifetime and an awful lot of TDs and supporters within Fine Gael and outside Fine Gael were anxious for me to run and to support me.
“But ultimately I had to make up my own mind having consulted with my family who were 100 per cent behind whatever decision I was going to take but I think the best thing is at this point of time is to continue the work I’ve been doing in Europe.”
Pressed on why he was not running to become president, the Ireland South MEP said while the Aras is the highest office in Irish politics it is also “largely a ceremonial role” and “you don’t have that much power and influence.”
Fine Gael members have one more week left to nominate a candidate however, sources say it is now likely that McGuinness will go unopposed and become their runner in the race.
Left leaning opposition parties including Labour, the Social Democrats and Sinn Fein are in talks to unite behind one candidate with Galway TD Catherine Connolly the front runner for that spot along with Senator Frances Black.
However, Sinn Fein have yet to make an official decision on whether to back this unity candidate or run their own candidate in the race with some in the party talking up the chances of Mary Lou McDonald winning the election.
Other opposition groups, including Aontu, Independent Ireland and independents TDs, are also in talks about running a candidate together with some names circulating, including businessman Declan Ganley.
Fianna Fail have yet to indicate whether or not they will run a candidate in the election with party sources indicating that the decision is effectively being left up to Micheal Martin.
SITTING ON THE FENCE
Several members of the party today sat on the fence when asked by the Irish Sun if they wanted to see Fianna Fail enter a candidate to try win the Presidency.
Senator Mary Fitzpatrick said: “Our members are very engaged, we as a parliamentary party are very engaged on it but to be fair it is a very significant undertaking.
“It is a very important office and I believe we will use the time over the summer months and then when we come back in the autumn probably around our parliamentary party think in – that time frame – I would expect to see some conclusions being reached. I can’t see it before then.”
