THE CLOSING day for nominations for the presidential elections will be September 28th, the Government has announced.
Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan confirmed voting will take place on October 27th, with polling stations open between 7am and 10pm.
The Minister made the Presidential Election Order yesterday that set out the key dates for the election. Four candidates have already indicated they have secured the support required by the Constitution of at least 20 Oireachtas members, or four county or city councils.
They are: Gay Mitchell of Fine Gael; Michael D Higgins of Labour; and Independents Seán Gallagher and Mary Davis.
It now looks highly unlikely there will be a Fianna Fáil candidate.
The party’s 33 TDs and Senators will meet later today to discuss the decision of a subcommittee, chaired by leader Micheál Martin, not to field a candidate.
It is expected that Mr Martin’s strategy to back broadcaster Gay Byrne will come under fire from some TDs and Senators at the meeting, which begins at lunchtime.
There will also be criticism of the leadership’s response to South MEP Brian Crowley. Mr Crowley had expressed interest in running but announced his withdrawal when it became clear to him that the Fianna Fáil leadership would not endorse his candidacy.
A senior party source last night said that a heated debate was anticipated, but that ultimately the view of the party leadership will be endorsed by the meeting. The source said that the likelihood of a vote was slim. “If a vote was called it would be seen as a direct affront to the leader and the strategy endorsed by the subcommittee. That would be a serious situation.”
Separately, Sinn Féin will decide within the next week if it will field a candidate to run in the election.
Kerry TD Martin Ferris said it was his personal preference that the party should run a candidate, but that a formal decision by Sinn Féin would be made by early next week.
The choice of Thursday, rather than a Friday or Saturday, as polling day has been criticised by student leaders who have said that students living away from home will be unable to cast their votes.
There was further criticism from the Fianna Fáil environment spokesman Neil Collins who accused the Government of blocking students from registering for a postal vote by moving the order before third-level institutions have returned.
Mr Collins claimed that by moving the order in August, Mr Hogan has “effectively denied” many students the chance to register for a postal vote.
“The vast majority of students are on their summer break at the moment and have no chance of making it into college to sort out their postal vote within the next two days.
“Others also requiring their name to be added to the supplementary postal register list on this occasion may also be away at this time,” he said.
Separately, Noel Gregory, brother of late Independent TD Tony Gregory endorsed Labour candidate Michael D Higgins. Mr Gregory joined Mr Higgins on a walkabout of Moore Street in his late brother’s constituency of Dublin Central.
“I am endorsing Michael D Higgins as he has the same core values as Tony Gregory: social justice, inclusiveness, community empowerment, human rights and criticism of US foreign policy,” he said.
Mr Gregory said his brother had always wished that there would be a disciple of James Connolly in the Áras to mark the centenary of the 1916 Rising and the 1913 lockout.
Mr Higgins said he had worked very closely with Tony Gregory, shared many of the same views and was thrilled by Noel Gregory’s offer of support.