Fine Gael councillors on Kerry County Council will comply with their party’s directive to block the nomination of potential independent presidential candidates.
Fine Gael headquarters wrote to its 246 councillors nationwide instructing them to block the nomination of any such candidate.
Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council and Fine Gael councillor Michael Foley says directives like this are just part of being a member of a political party.
20 potential candidates wrote to Kerry County Council seeking its backing to run in the Presidential election; 14 of those confirmed their attendance at County Buildings this afternoon to make their pitches in person.
Candidates must receive the support of at least four local authorities or 20 Oireachtas members, if they are to get on the ballot paper.
Cathaoirleach of the council and Fine Gael councillor Michael Foley says the six Fine Gael councillors on Kerry County Council will be blocking the vote of any other candidate.
He says the candidates still have 27 other councillors to convince to support them:
Meanwhile, Labour councillor Marie Moloney says her party issued no directive as to whether they should block independent candidates.
The Labour Party is supporting Independent left wing candidate Catherine Connolly.
Cllr Moloney says she wouldn’t feel comfortable blocking a potential candidate, saying she feels it isn’t democratic.
Independents represent the largest bloc on Kerry County Council with 11 seats, while Fianna Fáil has nine, Fine Gael has six, Sinn Féin has four, there are two from the Labour Party and one Kerry Independent Alliance member.
Pitches from the candidates will be heard today and on next Monday (September 15th) councillors will decide whether or not they’ll nominate a candidate.
