‘No vote of confidence for anyone’ as just five of 30 presidential hopefuls face Galway County Council
Attendance, lack of experience and party whips were the main concerns raised by Galway County councillors as five candidates presented themselves for presidential nomination on Tuesday.
On Tuesday, the chamber heard from a diverse mix of hopefuls, ranging from health professionals to humanitarians. But councillors noted one common thread – minimal political or canvassing experience.
During the meeting several candidates criticised the nomination process as inaccessible and biased in favour of those with major party backing. Opening the session, Aidan Harrington described it as “discriminatory”.
“Democracy is to be inclusive, and I do not see that in this process,” Mr. Harrington said. “I do not have a script writer, I do not have a €750,000 campaign, I do not have a party backing.”
Mr Harrington, who said he entered politics after a period of mental health difficulties, only decided to run last week but argued the campaign had given him new purpose. He pledged to continue his political efforts even if unsuccessful in the presidential race.
Gerben Uunk, Lucy-Anne O’Leary, and Séana Kerr also presented, sharing public services roles on their CV which they said qualify them to be a unique consideration in this race.
Ms Kerr emphasised the importance of the traditional family unit, calling it the “necessary basis of social order”.
When challenged by non-party councillor Karey McHugh Farag on why none of the candidates canvassed personally, Ms Kerr raised her voice and described the election process as a “logistical nightmare” and “unconstitutional”.
She argued it was the councillors’ responsibility to research candidates, not the candidate’s role to “convince anyone.”
Defending her record, Ms Kerr described herself as a “changemaker” willing to “rock the boat”, citing media coverage earlier this year when she was struck off by the Nursing and Midwifery Council in Northern Ireland.
Cllr Siobhán McHugh-Ryan called a vote for any one of these candidates a “huge risk” as the local authority acts as “gatekeepers” to the highest office.
Gearoid O’Dubhthaigh also put forward a family-oriented platform. Quoting Einstein’s definition of insanity, he referenced a UCC student newspaper study on voting patterns during the marriage referendum, arguing Ireland faced “a family crisis” more serious than the housing shortage.
He said that the “state is interested” in the procreation of the next generation and the idea that “we are not replacing ourselves” lends way to major concern for the future of democracy.
Though each attendee focused their presentation to areas of concern from family life to environmentalism and animal rights, to mental health, very few discussed what their active role would be if elected President.
During the meeting, councillors criticised the lack of focus on the actual powers and responsibilities of the presidency.
Fianna Fáil councillor Michael Connolly said he had “no vote of confidence for anyone” due to the limited understanding shown. Fine Gael councillor Jimmy McClearn agreed: “Quite frankly, with respect to everybody, I haven’t heard anything from anyone that would change our decision.”
Cllr McClearn referred to his party’s earlier decision to impose a whip on councillors for the presidential election. However, Fianna Fáil councillor Donagh Mark Killilea felt his party was falsely understood to be following suit.
Cllr Killilea clarified that his own party members had a free vote. He also suggested some candidates “got in their own way” in what they may have seen to be a contest already dominated by the two main parties.
Overall councillors expressed disappointment towards the 25 other potential nominees who had contacted the council and failed to appear.
Cathaoirleach David Collins welcomed the near full attendance of councillors but criticised absent candidates for showing little courtesy to staff.
Independent Ireland councillor Sean Cunniffe advised the five speakers to first seek election to local office, saying they should “get a taste” of public representation before reaching for the “enormous office” of the presidency.
In the end, the councillors of Galway County Council decided not to nominate any candidate.