MARY Lou McDonald running in the Presidential election is not a media ploy and is being actively considered by Sinn Fein, deputy leader Pearse Doherty insists.
It comes as two groups of opposition parties in the Dail are in talks to put forward separate candidates for the Aras race with one runner possibly being announced in the coming days.
Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald had previously been categorical when ruling herself out as a possible candidate in the Presidential election – stating in March “it won’t be me.”
However, after receiving a report on what the party membership wants Sinn Fein to do when it comes to the Aras election, the leader has changed her tone.
On Monday, she said the party was not ruling anything out when it came to the Presidency “myself included.”
Sinn Fein sources told the Irish Sun they do not believe that Mary Lou is seriously being considered for the party’s nomination for the Presidency as she still holds the desire to become Ireland’s first female Taoiseach.
However, deputy leader Pearse Doherty today denied that floating Mary Lou McDonald as a contender for the Presidency was a media game to try to generate headlines.
The Donegal TD said: “No. The question was asked and the question was answered honestly.
“I’m doing the same thing again today so that’s the honest answer – nothing is ruled out and nothing is ruled in.”
Deputy Doherty said the option of running Mary Lou McDonald for the Presidency is under “active consideration” with a final decision still some way off for the party.
The deputy leader did not rule out putting himself forward for the Aras – or taking Mary Lou’s position as leader of the party if she was elected President.
Asked if he wanted to be leader of Sinn Fein, he said: “I think there is quite a number of hurdles and ifs and buts and maybes before that.
“Our key focus is obviously today in terms of the cost of living crisis we have and the motion we have down in terms of student fees.
“Obviously the Presidential campaign is going to be a very, very serious campaign and it will be an option to put forward a different view in terms of how Ireland should be going forward and whoever we decide to run or back in that campaign will have my full endorsement and whatever flows from that we will deal with that when it comes.”
LEFT LEANING CANDIDATE
Despite the talk of Mary Lou for President, Sinn Fein will still meet with the leaders of other opposition parties today to discuss the idea of coming together to back one left leaning candidate.
Labour, the Greens, the Social Democrats, People Before Profit and Sinn Fein are all involved in these talks with Galway TD Catherine Connolly and Senator Frances Black among the names being tipped as a consensus candidate.
However, Independent Ireland and Aontu have also held discussions with other independent TDs about banding together themselves to back their own runner in the race.
Aontu leader Peadar Toibin today said there are two names being considered and a decision on the joint candidacy is expected by the end of the week.
He said: “We are talking to two very, very interesting characters. Individuals who would be well known in Irish society and individuals who we share a significant level of values with.
“We don’t agree with everything they have done or said in the past put I do think either of them would make a significant contribution to the Presidential debate.
“We’re not at liberty unfortunately to give any names. We will be meeting with one of those individuals today and I hope that the process will be completed by the end of the week.”
Nominations to become Fine Gael’s Presidential candidate opened this week with former European Commissioner Mairead McGuinness and MEP Sean Kelly among the runners.
Fianna Fail have yet to make a decision about whether to run a candidate at all with ex-Education Minister Mary Hanafin openly coveting the space.
