Mayo councillor laments 'lack of choice' in Presidential Election

A MAYO councillor who proposed the nomination of a Dublin barrister as a candidate for the Presidential Election has hit at the 'lack of choice' available for the public to vote for.

Knock-based Aontú councillor Deirdre Lawless proposed the nomination of Dublin-based barrister and anti-abortion campaigner Maria Steen as a candidate for the Presidential Election at yesterday's monthly meeting of Mayo County Council.

Cllr Lawless was the only councillor to propose a nomination at the meeting but her proposal was overwhelmingly defeated following a vote.

Speaking following the council meeting, Cllr Lawless hit out at what she terms this government's 'lack of respect for real choice for the electorate of Mayo and Ireland'. 

“It is truly incredible at how myopic this government is and the lengths to which it is going to prevent anybody not coming from its political block to get on the ballot paper.

“Fine Gael has its own candidate, Fianna Fáil is voting on it today (Tuesday, September 9); I am not asking these parties to support another candidate, just to give another candidate a chance to put him or herself forward to the people.

“This is the essence of democracy, but what transpired at this month’s meeting of Mayo County Council fell far short of democracy,” she said.

READ: Mayo councillor warns "there will be war” over Murrisk Greenway

A candidate for the Office of President of Ireland may also be nominated by four County or City Councils to appeal on the ballot paper.

It was agreed by members of the Corporate Policy Group meeting in June that potential candidates would submit, in writing to Mayo County Council, an interest to run in the election.

Before yesterday's meeting 17 people had applied to Mayo County Council for a nomination but none of the candidates attended Monday afternoon's meeting to address the councillors.

Fianna Fáil whip, Cllr Damien Ryan told the meeting that none of the people canvassed him to ask for a nomination and proposed that the council not nominate anyone.

Cllr Lawless criticised Cllr Ryan's rationale for not nominating a candidate and felt that the decision of the Corporate Policy Group to ask for submissions from candidates meant they felt they did not need to canvass councillors.

“I think the process decided upon in the CPG meeting reduced that ability of the potential candidates to canvas given they were asked to submit their candidature in writing to our meetings administrator, and not to councillors.

“It was very undemocratic of Fine Gael leader Simon Harris to block the channels for independent candidates to run for election and deny the Irish public real choice on polling day. I stated how much of the electorate felt unrepresented by the confirmed candidates to date, so we owed it to them to give a choice.  

“I nominated Maria Steen, a bright, articulate, principled and dignified person who stands by her word, and this was seconded by Cllr Chris Maxwell. It went to a vote with councillors abstaining,19 voting against and five councillors, made up of Sinn Féin and Independents voted for my nominated candidate.  

“It was very obvious that Fianna Fáil had been whipped too as they all voted the same way and with Fine Gael. This is totally undemocratic and wrong. 

“I am unwavering in my respect for the democratic process and believe it is a shocking shame that Mayo County Council did not use our privileged position and nominate someone,” she said and called members of the public to contact local representatives and 'remind them we live in a democracy, and not a dictatorship'. 

“What on earth is this Government afraid of? It is not respecting the electorate, and this is plain to see,” she concluded.