Like Presidents Mary Robinson, Mary McAleese and Michael D. Higgins, I would relish the opportunity to champion and espouse the values and vision for an Ireland of this generation and the next—a confident and caring Ireland for our children and their children.

An Ireland that will cherish all the children of the nation equally, to give everyone a fair chance: all those for whom Ireland is home, all those who have made Ireland their home, and all those who would like to come home, to a home of their own.

It is on that theme that I have centred my campaign: the aspiration for people to own a home of their own. Housing remains the foundation of the social contract, and solving it would help solve many other challenges cascading across Irish society.

No, I will not be building houses, but I believe it is as noble a call for my generation as Robinson’s was for Mná na hÉireann; McAleese’s, Building Bridges; and Michael D’s Centenary of Commemorations. This is something we can build on together.

Our Constitution, Article 45.2.1, states that:
“That the citizens (all of whom, men and women equally, have the right to an adequate means of livelihood) may through their occupations find the means of making reasonable provision for their domestic needs.”

Those domestic needs include a roof over their head—a home of their own. Housing is at the heart of so many of the challenges facing Irish society today. To solve it would also solve the myriad of issues which flow from our shortcomings in this area.

This should not be an opportunity to beat up and blame each other, but rather to collectively take on the challenge in defiant determination that it will not get the better of us. It is a time for a new approach, a better approach, and a level of collaboration across all stakeholders which has so far been absent.

I have met with elected Councillors from all around the country, who have already agreed to propose and second my nomination and we are confident we have at least the necessary four local authorities to consider my nomination as stipulated in Article 12.2.2 of the Constitution.

Councillors, have an important and critical constitutional prerogative to nominate a candidate. Councillors are the foundation and bedrock of our democracy, elected and trusted by your own communities.

I respectfully urge councillors to use their mandate to enrich the electoral process and choice. Otherwise, the only candidates on the ballot will be chosen solely via the Oireachtas political party system in Leinster House.