An Independent councillor is hopeful that Kerry County Council colleagues who're members of the main political parties won’t block the local authority from nominating a Presidential candidate.
People seeking Kerry County Council’s support for the upcoming Presidential election will address the council next Monday.
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.
It’s understood that each candidate will get 15 minutes to make their pitch and be questioned by the 33 members of Kerry County Council.
Independents are the largest bloc on Kerry County Council at 11, while Fianna Fáil has nine members on the council, Fine Gael has six, Sinn Féin has four, there are two from the Labour Party and one Kerry Independent Alliance member.
When contacted by Radio Kerry News, ten Independent councillors, including John O’Donoghue of the Kerry Independent Alliance, stated they would be willing to hear everyone out.
Independent councillor in the Kenmare Municipal District, Podge Foley told Radio Kerry he was unsure if he’d be in a position to listen to the candidates due to the workload he is undertaking in his MD, while Radio Kerry was unable to make contact with Independent councillor Brendan Cronin.
Independent councillor Charlie Farrelly says he is hopeful that those within political parties in Kerry County Council won’t block them from nominating a candidate:
Kerry County Councillors will decide on whether or not they’ll nominate a candidate at a separate meeting later this month.
