Taoiseach Micheál Martin.RollingNews.ie
Fianna Fáil ministers and TDs are trying to convince Taoiseach Micheál Martin to run for the presidency as they believe that no one else in the party stands a chance of winning the race for the Áras.
One minister told Extra.ie: ‘We see the positive polling, and we speak to the voters. It is clear that the only possible Fianna Fáil candidate that would be virtually certain of winning would be the Taoiseach.
‘He may feel he has unfinished business in the top job. But quite a few of us think he has this under some kind of consideration.’
However, the long-time Fianna Fáil leader has so far shown no enthusiasm for the seven-year largely ceremonial role. In a pre-general election interview with Extra.ie, Mr Martin said he was determined to be a ‘three-time Taoiseach’.
As it currently stands, Fianna Fáil is unlikely to run a candidate in October’s presidential election. But ministers, TDs and senators who spoke to Extra.ie this week said they would urge their leader to contest the election for the good of the party’s future.
Fine Gael leader Simon Harris and Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin. RollingNews.ie
One TD said: ‘There is a belief growing in the civil service that Micheál will not want to become Tánaiste again under [Fine Gael leader and current Tánaiste] Simon Harris. That would mean he would like to find something else to do at the end of 2027.
‘Yet he could move to the Presidency in 2025 and guarantee himself a position of influence for another 14 years. We will try to convince him that will offer a lot of power beyond the current ceremonial role.’
Many in Fianna Fáil want the party to enter the race. However, senior figures said the leadership is reluctant to spend more than €1 million on what one minister described as a ‘very underwhelming’ field of candidates.
This will mean Fianna Fáil has not run an endorsed a candidate since the parliamentary party selected the ultimately victorious Mary McAleese in 1997.
Former Fianna Fail Minister Mary Hanafin. RollingNews.ie
Former Minister Mary Hanafin has admitted to seeking the role, weeks after Extra.ie revealed she was lobbying members of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party for support.
MEP Barry Andrews has withdrawn his name, while senior party sources have expressed puzzlement over speculation surrounding former minister Peter Power as a potential candidate. But few view either Ms Hanafin or Mr Power as viable or electable candidates.
Party sources said Mr Martin will not back former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, who has consistently refused to rule out a presidential run.
One Fianna Fáil source involved in the funding and organisation of the party told Extra.ie: ‘The people who have put their names forward are deeply uninspiring. The party is not putting that amount of money into a campaign where not only is the candidate almost sure not to be elected, but is unlikely to see us return our deposit. That’s a serious outlay,’ they said.
Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern. RollingNews.ie
‘Bertie, unlike the others, could do well, but there would be a whole discussion about the past of Fianna Fáil and certain issues that we just don’t want to revisit. It would be damaging for the brand.’
Although Mary McAleese was a Fianna Fáil candidate in 1997, when she was reappointed by acclamation in 2004, she did so as an Independent.
This assumption of the presidency by Ms McAleese as an Independent, when Mr Martin was a Cabinet minister, is said to influence his belief that the role of president should not be filled by a partisan political figure.
Former European Commissioner Mairead McGuinness and current MEP Seán Kelly are expected to put their names forward for the Fine Gael nomination for the presidency next week. It is believed the leadership wants Ms McGuinness to secure the nomination.
The North’s first minister, Michelle O’Neill, is believed to be the favoured Sinn Féin candidate.
* This article was originally published on Extra.ie.