Minister of State Michael Healy-Rae has said he will nominate conservative campaigner Maria Steen to enter the presidential election.
The Kerry Independent TD said he was still “100 per cent backing” Fine Gael’s candidate Heather Humphreys but he was signing Ms Steen’s nomination papers to ensure there was a “fair and full choice” for voters.
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín, who has been seeking to build support among Oireachtas members to facilitate her entry into the race, said on Friday he was “confident” 12 TDs and Senators have committed to nominating her.
Aspiring candidates, however, will need the support of 20 Oireachtas members or four local authorities to get on the ballot paper for next month’s election. Ms Steen has been pursuing both routes to a nomination.
She has so far not secured the backing of any councils but Leitrim County Council is set to vote on whether or not to nominate her on Monday.
Independent candidate Gareth Sheridan, who has already secured the backing of two local authorities, is due to make a presentation to Carlow County Council on Friday evening in a bid to secure their nomination.
In a statement on Friday, Mr Healy-Rae noted that ”democracy is best served when candidates who are serious and committed are not denied their place on the ballot.”
Mr Healy-Rae added: “Today, I have decided to sign the nomination papers for Maria Steen.
“In the same spirit of fairness and respect for the democratic process, I will be giving her the opportunity to contest the election.”
He continued: “I want to be absolutely clear, my support in this election is firmly with Heather Humphreys.”
Signing a nomination paper did not amount to electoral support, he explained, but was about giving voters a choice.
A series of Oireachtas members last week gave commitments to back Ms Steen after a meeting where they heard from four presidential hopefuls.
Michael Healy-Rae said he wanted a ‘fair and full choice’ for voters in the presidential election. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw/ The Irish Times
Mr Tóibín named eight of them as himself; party colleagues deputy Paul Lawless and Senator Sarah O’Reilly; Independent TDs Mattie McGrath and Carol Nolan; and Senators Joe Conway, Rónán Mullen and Sharon Keogan.
Dublin Mid-West Independent TD Paul Gogarty also later confirmed he attended the meeting and he told the candidates there including Ms Steen that if they were in a position where they “need a vote or two” to reach 20 Oireachtas members, he would add his nomination.
On Friday Mr Tóibín said he is “confident” that there are now 12 Oireachtas members who have signed or are willing to sign nomination papers for Ms Steen.
He said he is hoping that two more will “come over the line this weekend” which would bring the number to 14.
Fianna Fail presidential candidate Jim Gavin (left) and the deputy leader of the party Jack Chambers on the steps outside the Customs House, Dublin, as Mr Gavin submits his nomination papers for the presidential race. Photograph: Cillian Sherlock/PA
Meanwhile, Sinn Féin’s ardcomhairle will meet on Saturday with an announcement expected on the party’s approach to the presidential election.
Party leader Mary Lou McDonald has said its decision will be a “game changer” and would alter the nature of the election campaign.
As a result of her comment that the chosen person has “plenty of Irish”, speculation has narrowed to fluent Irish speakers such as the party’s own TD Pearse Doherty, or the Independent Catherine Connolly.
Comments on Friday from Sinn Féin MEP and ardchomhairle member Kathleen Funchion lavishing praise on Ms Connolly will fuel that speculation.
Ms Funchion told KCLR radio: “I have said before publicly I think we should support Catherine” adding: “I really love the united opposition, particularly the left Opposition in the Dáil.”
She said Ms Connolly “can listen to people that she doesn’t agree with” continuing: “Because she will in her role as president ultimately probably have to meet with maybe other State leaders that she might feel a bit uncomfortable with.
“I think she’ll be well able to do that…I also love that she’s a Gaeilgeoir. I really do. I think that that is fantastic.”
Despite her praise, Ms Funchion repeated that the Sinn Féin decision would be made on Saturday. “I should say that too before I lose the run of myself here.”
Elsewhere, Fianna Fáil candidate Jim Gavin has said his focus remained on his own campaign as he submitted his presidential nomination papers.
Mr Gavin was accompanied by Fianna Fáil deputy leader Jack Chambers as he submitted the paperwork at the Customs House in Dublin on Friday, having secured the backing of the party.
Asked if he was concerned about Sinn Féin weighing into the contest, Mr Gavin said his focus was on Fianna Fail.