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20h ago

Micheál Martin Backs Jim Gavin for Fianna Fáil Presidential Nomination

Fianna Fáil’s 71-member parliamentary party will choose its nominee within weeks under a compressed timeline for an expected late-October election.

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Billy Kelleher’s team began fielding calls from Fianna Fail TDs who were deeply unhappy at how Micheál Martin, the tanaiste, left, had handled the selection process

Overview

  • Jim Gavin has contacted TDs, senators and MEPs to seek the nomination, with public endorsements from ministers Dara Calleary, James Lawless and deputy leader Jack Chambers, and confirmation from party whip Paul McAuliffe.
  • Billy Kelleher has formally entered the race and is canvassing colleagues, while former taoiseach Bertie Ahern says he has not ruled himself out.
  • RTÉ reports the party’s internal nomination process is expected to open at a parliamentary party meeting next week and conclude in early autumn.
  • Independent TD Catherine Connolly remains the only contender with secured backing for the ballot, as Fine Gael is expected to confirm Heather Humphreys on Tuesday and Sinn Féin plans a decision on September 20.
  • Candidates require nomination by 20 Oireachtas members or four local authorities, with voting set to occur in the 60-day window before President Michael D. Higgins’s term ends on November 11.