14 people address Kerry County Council seeking support to contest the Presidential election

14 potential candidates seeking support for the upcoming Presidential election addressed Kerry County Council today.

The candidates must receive the support of at least four local authorities or 20 Oireachtas members ahead of October's election, if they are to get on the ballot paper.

The potential candidates were given 15-minutes to present their plans for the role and take questions from councillors.

William P Alen spoke about his ambition to take on the role:

William P Allen

Nick Delehanty spoke about his fidelity to the nation and how he’d help the Government succeed:

Nick Delehanty

Charlotte Keenan mentioned the importance for Irish people to stay here as the country has a lot to offer:

Charlotte Keenan

Dr Donncha MacGabhann spoke about the importance of hearing citizens’ voices on a range of issues in a format like a citizens' assembly:

Dr Donncha MacGabhann

Councillor Kieran McCarthy spoke about the role for the President to inspire people and outlined the need to work more with Irish diaspora:

Cllr Kieran McCarthy

Keith McGrory told the meeting that he had the solutions to deal with the housing crisis:

Keith McGrory

Lorna McCormack spoke about the importance of heritage and the arts and she about the need to address the issues facing children:

Lorna McCormack

Walter Ryan-Purcell said he’ll be a President with a purpose and he wants housing and healthcare for all citizens; he also spoke about the need for the Mercosur deal to be stopped:

Walter Ryan-Purcell

Gareth Sheridan said housing, social justice, healthcare and equality are issues that are important to him. He was acknowledged as one of the potential candidates that contacted councillors before the meeting:

Gareth Sheridan

Dr Cora Stack told the meeting she wants to rebuild communities from the bottom up:

Dr Cora Stack

Maria Steen outlined her vision for a Presidency that surrounded the values that the Constitution was built on. She feels it's important to know the role the President can play:

Maria Steen

Gerben (GJF) Uunk spoke about animal welfare as well as the need for housing and safeguarding Irish Neutrality:

Gerben (GJF) Uunk

Addressing the council, Gearoid Duffy discussed the importance of human right:

Gearoid Duffy

Sarah Louse Mulligan was the last to address the council and she spoke about crime rates as well as immigration:

Kerry County Councillors asked the speakers about what they’d bring to the role, their ambitions, how they’d promote and preserve Irish values if they got into office; they also asked about views on immigration and if they had a good level of Irish.

Councillors will decide next Monday if they will nominate a candidate to contest the Presidential election.