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A three-horse Presidential race not good for democracy or the office of the presidency – Gareth Sheridan
The unprecedented level of interference by government parties in the presidential election nomination process is undermining the office of the Presidency and compromising the integrity of the electoral process.
The current scenario of a three-horse race, with two of the runners from the Government stable, is far from satisfactory, stifles robust and respectful debate and undermines the authority of the eventual outcome.
The Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael tactics of directly interfering and covertly influencing the local authority nomination route, usurping the Constitutional mandate of councillors under Article 12.2.2. runs the grave risk of tarnishing the Presidency. If this was happening in any other jurisdiction alarm bells would be ringing.
The Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael block is contrary to the spirit of the Constitution. Article 12.3 states;
No person and no such Council shall be entitled to subscribe to the nomination of more than one candidate in respect of the same election.
Therefore, Oireachtas members and Councillors can subscribe, vote and sign up to support a person to be on the ballot. However, for the first time in the history of Presidential elections the Government Parties have each nominated a candidate via the Oireachtas but used the alternative Council nomination process to block any other person being on the ballot. Essentially, the Government parties have gerrymandered the Presidential Election by each voting twice. The Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael Parliamentary parties each voted for their candidate whilst instructing a second vote against all candidates in the Council Chambers. A dangerous precedent has been set. Remember the Presidential Election is won and lost on transfers. What is there now to stop a party like Fianna Fáil, (currently with 71 Oireachtas members) in a future Presidential election nominating three candidates, one from Greater Dublin, another from the South and the third from the northern half of the Republic. It wouldn’t be technically in breach of article 12.3 but it definitely would not be in the spirit of the constitution.
At stake here is not my candidature but rather denying the electorate a full choice of candidates outside of the Leinster House cartel, a full spectrum of independent voices to choose from come election day, so that the ultimate outcome can be properly determined by the will of the people in the ballot box. This following a full, free and fair election with robust and respectful debate.
Just as Mary Robinson so inspiringly championed the cause of Mná na hEireann; Mary McAleese in Building Bridges and Michael D Higgins stamped his values on the office of Uachtaráin nah Eireann, I too wished to champion my values and vision centred on the housing crisis. Not as an antagonist to government but as a protagonist for the people, to collaborate in seeking solutions for the vexed topic of my generation.
Home is where the heart is, and the lack of homes is at the heart of so much of our social problems and the sundering of the social contract between the State and its citizens. Surely this is a worthy theme for any Presidential candidate of my generation worth their salt. If the Government no longer wish Council’s to nominate independent candidates or think that 35 years of age is too young, then they have the option of removing these provisions of the Constitution by way of referendums, not by usurping the authority of duly elected councillors all over the country.
As for now I am making this genuine final appeal to all councillors in Meath, Louth and The Faithful County, Offaly, take a stand tomorrow for democracy.”
ENDS.
Any queries, please contact John Whelan, Media Liaison & Communications.
Phone: 087 2509663 Email: media@sheridanforpresident.ie
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