27 seeking presidential nomination from Louth councillors

27 people who are seeking a nomination from Louth County Council to run in the Presidential election have until 5pm today to be nominated and seconded by a Louth councillor, in order for them to be considered by the local authority at a special meeting to be held next Monday evening.

The process was agreed at the Louth County Council September meeting on Monday (yesterday). Councillors were asked at the monthly meeting if they wanted to invite candidates who are seeking a nomination, to a special meeting to allow them lay out their stall, after which councillors could decide on who they would nominate, if they choose to nominate someone at all.

Fianna Fáil's Cllr Emma Coffey said that she was in principle open to holding the meeting, to allow democracy to work. Cllr Coffey's proposal was seconded by the Green Party's Cllr Marianne Butler. It was then agreed that if councillors decided to nominate a candidate, if a vote is required then a simple 50% plus one majority would be required.

Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council, Cllr Seán Kelly, explained the process to the Dundalk Democrat. Cllr Kelly said on Monday that the candidates have indicated in writing to Louth County Council that they want to come in and present their case for presidential nomination.

“What we have agreed here today is that by close of business tomorrow, Tuesday at 5pm, each person who wants to come in and present to us, must have a councillor propose them and second them.

“Then they have until close of business on Friday to send us on a profile picture and their pitch. Then we'll have the special meeting on Monday evening at 6.30.”

Confirming that this does not necessarily mean that Louth councillors will definitely nominate a candidate, Cllr Kelly said that: “There's every possibility that we'll take in three or four people next Monday and decide not to vote for any of them – but we're giving them the opportunity because we believe in democracy here.”

When the Fianna Fáil councillor was asked if councillors from his own party would not be nominating any candidates due to Fianna Fáil selecting Jim Gavin to run, Cllr Kelly replied that, “I would say that given the proposal to actually host a special meeting came from Fianna Fáil, Cllr Emma Coffey, that would be suggestive in itself. “