Cynthia vs Mary? Fianna Fáil may soon choose between key contenders for presidency battle

Extra.ie​

2 days ago

Former Minister Mary Hanafin has discussed her potential presidential candidacy with Taoiseach Micheál Martin and is now actively lobbying members of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party to be given a run at the Áras.
Senior party figures this weekend confirmed that they are considering approaching a number of candidates and hope to have come close to a decision next month.
After soundings by the party leadership, enthusiasm for an 'RTÉ' candidate such as Joe Duffy or Miriam O'Callaghan has waned, and the party appears to be leaning towards an established or former politician. It's understood that a wing of the party would like to see the party select newly elected MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú as its presidential candidate, as her RTÉ associations are in the distant past. Cynthia Ni Mhurchu Pic: Leah Farrell/© RollingNews.ie
It was early discussions about a potential Ní Mhurchú candidacy that inspired supporters to ask her fellow MEP, Barry Andrews, to put his name forward; however, he has shown no obvious public enthusiasm as yet.
Ms Hanafin approached members of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party last week seeking their support. She confirmed to them that she had spoken to Mr Martin, the ultimate decision-maker, and claimed that the discussion on her potential candidacy went well.
However, many powerful figures in Fianna Fáil, underwhelmed by the calibre of potential candidates, do not favour running any candidate in next November's election. Mary Hanafin. Pic: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin.
The party estimates a presidential election campaign, coming the year after the local, European and general election, would cost between €700,000 and €1m.
However, other senior party figures argue it is necessary to field a candidate to prevent voters who have returned to Fianna Fáil from voting for another party, and also to block the election of an extreme or populist candidate.
Many within the political system have been uneasy about the increasingly controversial interventions, particularly in foreign affairs matters, of the outgoing President, Michael D. Higgins. Pic: Joe Giddens –There is hope that the next successful candidate would adhere to the established parameters of the office and not make controversial statements about government policy.
Former EU Commissioner, MEP and RTÉ broadcaster Mairead McGuinness could well be selected unopposed as Fine Gael's candidate as the party leadership is firmly behind her candidacy.
There was speculation that singer and Senator Frances Black could run as a leftwing candidate with the support of Sinn Féin, but she recently denied interest. Pic:Within Sinn Féin circles, it has been rumoured that Northern MP John Finucane could be a candidate for the party.
There is also a belief within Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil that a strong candidate on both tickets could help the other to be elected, with transfers between the two candidates in the accelerated manner that was witnessed on general election ballots.
However, relations between the two old Civil War parties are deteriorating every day in Government, and there is little hope of Fianna Fáil acquiescing to a Fine Gael suggestion that they back their candidate, most likely Ms McGuinness.
There is also a lack of enthusiasm across the centrist parties for a presidential election so soon after a bruising and expensive 2024, during which there were three nationwide elections.
One Fianna Fáil minister told the Irish Mail on Sunday: 'I see the advantage of there being some co-operation between the two parties. However, I don't see that we should be selecting a candidate just to get Mairead McGuinness elected, that's not the way.
'Established politicians that would have a good chance of attracting a strong vote have no interest in that office as they would feel they have things to achieve. Otherwise, the Áras is something of an open prison, with all the public focus and no power.
'And a Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael president will not be given the latitude Michael D has.' Fianna Fáil MEPs Barry Andrews and Billy Kelleher were spotted in Leinster House last week, but it is believed any interest they may have in a presidential run is lukewarm.
It is understood that their recently elected colleague, Ms Ní Mhurchú, would be more open to a run for the Park. Those who joined her on the European election campaign trail last summer described her as an impressive campaigner.
One TD said: 'She doesn't hold back, that's for sure, but she has the basic talent of confidently asking voters for their vote, in an engaging manner. You'd be surprised how that is lacking in some.'
Asked about a potential presidential run, Ms Ní Mhurchú told the MoS: 'I am an MEP for Ireland South. That is what I am focused on right now. It's a job I love and I am grateful for voters giving me this opportunity to serve them. I have given no thought whatsoever to a race for the presidency nor have I canvassed or sought a nomination within Fianna Fáil.
'I was flattered and honoured to be mentioned in press coverage on it, but like I said no plans, and now I am focused on the very busy task at hand – being an MEP – and preparing for another presidency, that of Ireland's presidency of the Council of the EU in 2026.'
Mary Hanafin became an education minister under Taoiseach Bertie Ahern in 2004, after serving as government chief whip from 2002 to 2004. She subsequently served as Minister of Social Protection and as Minister of Arts.
Ms Hanafin was deputy leader of the party for five weeks at the start of 2011, appointed by Mr Martin after he succeeded Brian Cowen as Fianna Fáil leader. She lost her seat in the 2011 election and failed to regain it in 2016.
She was elected to Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council in 2014 and 2019, serving as Cathaoirleach between 2022 and 2023. In 2020, she again unsuccessfully contested the general election. Ms Hanafin, whose husband, Eamon Leahy, a senior counsel, died suddenly in 2003 at the age of 46, has started practising as a barrister in recent years.