David Norris is just three names away from securing a nomination to run for President of Ireland next month.
The controversial gay senator now claims to have the signatures of 17 members of the upper and lower houses of the Irish parliament.
Senators Mary Ann O’Brien and Eamonn Coghlan, both nominated by Prime Minister Enda Kenny to the Senate, added their names to Norris’s nomination papers on Thursday. Now Norris needs just three more deputies or senators to add their names to his nomination paper in order to go forward to the ballot.
South Tipperary Independent deputy Mattie McGrath may be one of the three after admitting he could switch support from Dana Rosemary Scanlon to Norris.
“I have no intention of campaigning for David Norris or even voting for him, but I feel it could be a negation of democracy to prevent him running,” said McGrath.
“I will discuss the issue with my supporters in Tipperary before coming to a decision.”
Norris has also targeted his former Senator colleague Shane Ross for support.
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Read more:
Dana announces she will run in Ireland’s presidential race
David Norris to approach Fianna Fail for Presidential election support
Martin McGuinness tops RTE Irish presidency poll
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Former Fianna Gael Minister Michael Lowry has confirmed that he will become signature number 20 once 19 other names are secured by Norris.
Dana will now seek support for a nomination from four County Councils in her bid to succeed Mary McAleese.
Donegal and Longford County Councils look certain to back the former singer while Offaly County Council are also to consider her nomination.
Prime Minister Kenny has re-iterated that Fine Gael councilors will abstain from voting in the nomination process.
“I want to assure you that the full support of the entire Fine Gael party and its support groups will swing in behind Gay Mitchell,” said Kenny.
“We are right behind Gay Mitchell in an effort to get him to every part of the country and to meet as many people as he can to set out his credentials and his views on how he will carry the next presidency for the next seven years.”
5 Comments
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.pilib04 | Sep 25, 2011, 09:28 AM EDT
So Michael Lowry Fianna Gael (sic) is going to put Norris over the top. Is this any indication of Norris's supporters? Lowry was just asked to resign by an all party motion in March of this year because the Moriarty Report. Already Lowry has been fined 1.3 million Euro for his criminal behavior by the Criminality Assets Bureau. Wow, this Norris guy must some piece of work to get this type of support.
merefalow | Sep 25, 2011, 06:41 AM EDT
wrong person to represent ireland completely,you can do a lot better than this..
KeithD194 | Sep 23, 2011, 07:22 PM EDT
We Love You David !!!!!
CanadianPat | Sep 23, 2011, 12:17 PM EDT
He has embarressed himself, so very often. Do you really want him to embarress the Nation?Don't go with someone because he is or is not Gay or because he is or is not pro-Palestinian.Go with someone who is not in to back the horsey set, and Georgan estates over the interest of the working man while collect a big salary.
mcdolan | Sep 23, 2011, 09:34 AM EDT
Fingers crossed, David! This whole fiasco points up the flaws in the presidential election system. While it is the only national election where the people directly elect the winner, at the end of the day the candidates either have to be backed by a political party or vetted by the Oireachtas / local authorities to get on the ballot, so in effect it's not really a democratic choice of the people.