Posting on his social media pages, Gareth shared his hopes to be the nation’s youngest-ever candidate in a Presidential election and he believes that a younger voice is exactly what Ireland needs right now.
The Dublin-born businessman revealed that he has stepped aside as CEO of his US-based pharmaceutical company, Nutriband, to fully focus on the election.
He said: "I believe there’s never been a time in our country’s history when this has been more important or relevant today, particularly when the average age of an Irish person stands at just under 40.
"Over the weekend, I spoke with all major stakeholders (in Nutriband) and I informed them of my decision to step aside as CEO, so I may focus solely and fully on the upcoming election.
"However, it has been suggested recently that some parties may be looking to block local authority nominations as a means to control and obstruct who may run for President and make sure the only candidates we can consider would come from within party ranks.
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"I don’t believe this to be in the spirit of our constitution and I expect all parties to respect Article 12.2.2 of our constitution and to allow our duly elected councillors fulfil their obligations under Bunreacht na hÉireann."
Gareth further stated that the Irish people should be the ones electing the President and not "the people of Leinster House".
The 35-year-old asked for his goals not to be brushed off as "youthful arrogance" and he has a clear plan and vision for the nation.
He added that the values and visions he holds have already been supported by numerous councillors and claimed that they will propose and second his nomination.
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Gareth continued: "As a group, we are very confident that we have at least the necessary four local authorities to contest the upcoming election as stipulated in Article 12.2.2 of our constitution.
"Now, hoping to be our youngest-ever candidate, I am fully aware of the issues facing our younger generations.
"They’re dispirited, disinherited and disenfranchised.
"Despite being in gainful employment, they’re the first generation in modern Ireland to have little or no hope of owning a home, condemned to a life of exorbitant rents or even emigration.
"This is something that I want to highlight, fight for and champion over the course of my campaign."
Gareth is married to a US model called Heidi, and the couple have a two-year-old adopted daughter named Roe.
His entrepreneurial journey began in Dublin, where he was named the Bank of Ireland Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2014 after launching Nutriband Ltd.
Nutriband also earned the title of Best New Product that same year.
Since then, he has been celebrated as South Dublin’s Best Startup and Best Young Entrepreneur, and has served as a Nissan Generation Next Ambassador, identified as one of Ireland’s future generational leaders.
He is the author of "From No to NASDAQ", a business memoir charting his path from startup founder to public company CEO.
Gareth added: "It’s time that we become an Ireland that gives everyone a fair chance.
"Those for who Ireland is home, those who have made Ireland their home and importantly those who would like to return home, who are often forgotten in this conversation.
"So this time around, I want to offer something different.
"A forward-looking candidate. A candidate that’s on your side and focused on the future of Ireland.
"To create an Ireland that we will be proud to hand down to the next generation and they’ll be proud to inherit."
* This article was originally published on Extra.ie.
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