Fianna Fáil split on candidate for Presidential election
In the wake of the decision of Barry Andrews to rule himself out, the party is struggling to find a viable candidate – unless they choose former party leader Bertie Ahern.
In the wake of the departure of Mr Andrews from the reckoning, Minister of State Niall Collins bluntly told Extra.ie: 'My view is that if we do not have a viable candidate, we should not run.' A split is developing within Fianna Fáil over whether they should run a Presidential candidate in November. Pic: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie
He added: 'Without Micheál Martin, we do not have a candidate, currently, who can win it, and Micheál Martin is committed to remaining as Taoiseach.'
Mr Collins was articulating a growing view within the party. A senior party figure said: 'Are we really serious about spending €500,000 so Cynthia ní Mhurchú can become transfer fodder for Fine Gael's Mairéad McGuinness?'
Commenting on the increasingly volatile political situation, they said: 'November could be very difficult. We will have enough to be doing with a budget, Trump, Ukraine, Gaza and the economy without becoming embroiled in some Presidential fracas we can't win.' President Mary McAleese and her husband Martin. Pic:After dominating the office for the first 90 years of the State, Fianna Fáil has effectively been excised from the office since Mary McAleese ended her second term in 2011.
In 2011, Mr Martin sat out the election after RTÉ broadcaster Gay Byrne snubbed FF's attempt to secure the candidacy. The campaign of the party's proxy candidate, Seán Gallagher, then collapsed in flames in the final week before the election.
In a decision both would regret in 2018, both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael backed the return of Michael D Higgins to office. Currently, those who are believed to be at the top of the party list include MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú and retired former ministers Mary Hanafin and Éamon Ó Cuív. Cynthia Ní Mhurchú. Pc: Leah Farrell/© RollingNews.ie
One source noted: 'They would at a pinch do for a by-election but no, not a Presidential odyssey.'
Some residual support exists for the former Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, who has, for the last three years, been circumspectly flirting with the prospect of a run.
It is believed the current leader is hostile to such a move, given concerns over the role of Mr Ahern in the economic crash and the findings of the Mahon Tribunal. Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern. Pic: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin
Sources within Fianna Fáil remain supportive, with one TD noting: 'We should not just hand the Aras over to Fine Gael like some second-tier Coalition partner.
'Should Bertie run, there is a very good chance he would retain the party's core vote of 20%. Yes, there is the Tribunal, but all that is old history. It is worth noting that the Mahon Tribunal report is seriously discredited by the courts.'
Another TD said: 'Don't forget Bertie has huge charisma, no one else has ever had a closer relationship with the voters, and he is the clever statesman we need more than ever in a dangerous world. Is there one more run in him? We think so.
'For sure, if Micheál is not running, it is Bertie or no one.'
The decision on whether to run a candidate – and if so, who – will be taken by 71 TDs, senators and MEPs making up the parliamentary party.
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