Galway City Council to welcome potential presidential candidates despite some rumblings from councillors
A date has been set for Galway City Council to welcome potential candidates for the presidential race, despite a number of councillors voting to reject having the special meeting.
Candidates will receive a slot to present for five minutes before the council members, with time allotted for question and answer following.
The names of confirmed candidates have not yet been released but city council officials stated six people have expressed their interest.
The local authority will be accepting expressions of interest right up until the presentation meeting on Monday, September 15 at 4.00pm at City Hall.
A successful candidate will need the backing of four local authorities or 20 Oireachtas members if they are to be included on the ballot paper for October 24’s Irish presidential election.
Fianna Fáil councillor Michael Crowe proposed to omit a meeting entirely, stating that he is “not in a position to support any other candidate.” Murmurs and disagreement rang through the chamber as Cllr Crowe was joined in agreement by Fine Gael councillor Shane Forde.
“That’s where my allegiance lies and that is what I am doing. Like it or lump it, that’s my position,” Cllr Crowe added.
As the presentation meeting was put to a vote, Fianna Fáil councillor and former mayor Peter Keane voted with his colleague to omit a presentation meeting.
Similarly in the Galway County Council, Fine Gael councillors declared their voting alliance, with party leader Cllr Jimmy McClearn announcing a unanimous decision in support of FG candidates. Fianna Fáil now appears poised to follow suit.
Councillors respectfully disagreed with Cllr Crowe’s approach to the democratic process, even addressing the fact that the race should not be a “two- or three-party system,” Cllr John McDonagh said.
Councillor Donal Lyons said: “We have very few powers ourselves, and they are being eroded weekly. We can still listen and hear [the potential candidates’] input.”
County Kerry was the first local authority to host a presentation meeting which took place on Monday. Six other authorities will join Galway City Council on September 15 in hearing prospective candidates.
Formal nominations can be submitted by the council until 12.00pm on September 24.