Mairead McGuinness: Fine Gael candidate withdraws from Irish presidential race
McGuiness said she had spoken to Tánaiste (Irish deputy prime minister) and Fine Gael party leader Simon Harris about withdrawing her name, and thanked him for his understanding."I appreciate that this will come as a shock and disappointment to party members and colleagues in Fine Gael, but our political family is strong," McGuinness said."I also want to thank all of those people who have done so much to support me, now and in the past."The decision to withdraw on medical advice is the "right decision for me and my family", she added, asking for privacy.
'Awful shock'
Harris said the decision has come as an "awful shock" but it is "absolutely essential" McGuinness prioritises her health."It was our clear view in Fine Gael and the view of many people across Ireland that Mairead would make an excellent president of Ireland," Harris said."Mairead's health will now not allow this."The tánaiste said his party's executive council will meet in the coming days to discuss the next steps for the election."But that's for the time ahead, not for today. Today I want to pay tribute to Mairead," he added.
Who is running for the Irish presidency?
The role of the Irish president is a mostly ceremonial one, and is elected once every seven years.No date has yet been set for the poll, but it needs to be held before 11 November when Michael D Higgins' 14-year term in office officially ends.In order to be considered a candidate, a person must be an Irish citizen, over 35 and be nominated by at least 20 members of the Oireachtas (Irish Parliament) or four of the 31 local authorities.
So far, Independent TD Catherine Connolly has announced her bid for Áras an Uachtaráin (the official residence of the Irish president).Sinn Féin met last month to discuss its plan.Fianna Fáil says it is still considering its options. Academic Deirdre Heenan has been tipped as a potential candidate for the party.It has not run a presidential candidate since Belfast-born Mary McAleese won the 1997 election.MMA fighter Conor McGregor, as well as Riverdance star Michael Flatley, have both announced their intention to seek backers for their respective campaigns.
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