Marian Harkin backing nomination of Maria Steen for Presidential election but says she won’t be voting for her

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

Sligo/Leitrim TD Marian Harkin says she has signed the presidential election nomination papers for Maria Steen although says she will not be voting for her when the country votes on October 24.

“I have signed the presidential election nomination papers for Maria Steen. As a member of the Oireachtas I have two votes in the presidential election and will use both – one to nominate a candidate whose name can appear on the ballot paper, in this case Maria Steen, and the other to vote for my preferred candidate, Heather Humphreys,” said Deputy Harkin.

Outlining the reasons why she is nominating Ms Steen, the Independent TD expressed the belief it is important to give voters a wide choice of credible candidates.

“I am nominating Maria Steen for a number of reasons. Firstly, she is a credible candidate and reflects all or some of the views of a significant portion of the Irish people.

"I believe we should see a respectful considered debate with different viewpoints in the upcoming presidential election and by not giving a voice to different viewpoints certain groups of people become further polarised, believing they are being sidelined in the discussion about the person we want to represent us as president for the next seven years. That leads to a fracture and polarisation. We have an opportunity to stop this happening, for now at least, by giving voters a wider choice.”

Deputy Harkin continued, “Secondly, all the candidates nominated so far have been nominated by political parties, yet many Irish people vote for Independents and expect them to use their independent voice to influence outcomes. While of course the outcome of the election will be decided by the people, the opportunity to select an alternative candidate is largely within the gift of Independents.

"In the longer term we need a debate about how presidential candidates get their names on the ballot paper but for now we must work within our constitutional and legal limits. In this regard the political parties have blocked alternative avenues through the county councils but we, as Independent members of the Oireachtas, have the freedom to provide that pathway.”

Deputy Harkin added that although she does not share the same opinions as Ms Steen in relation to various matters she nevertheless stressed the importance of different opinions being voiced.

“Finally, while I do not agree with Maria Steen's views on a number of issues, I will however defend her right not only to have those views but also to articulate them in a presidential election. This is an important space where different views can be discussed, we shouldn't just leave it to social media.

“I have faith in the Irish electorate to select the most suitable candidate as our next president, my only role for now is to help give them the opportunity to make their choice from a more diverse group of candidates.”