FF indicates support for Gay Byrne as Independent candidate for presidency

SENIOR FIGURES in Fianna Fáil have made it clear to former Late Late Showhost Gay Byrne that if he puts himself forward as an Independent candidate for the presidency his nomination will be facilitated by the party.

A reliable source in the party yesterday confirmed discussions had been ongoing with the veteran broadcaster and it would ensure he secured the support of the 20 Oireachtas members required to become an official candidate.

The source said the party would also be likely to support his candidature and canvass for him, while respecting his Independent status.

The confirmation of contact came as a number of Fianna Fáil TDs yesterday publicly confirmed they would be positively disposed towards the 77-year-old broadcaster, who was the dominant personality in Irish television for almost four decades.

Fianna Fáil TDs who have voiced support for backing his nomination include two Limerick TDs, Willie O’Dea and Niall Collins; Charlie McConalogue from Donegal North East; John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny) and Seán Fleming (Carlow-Kilkenny).

Mr Collins said Mr Byrne was a person who was respected by a huge swathe of the Irish population and would be a very impressive and formidable candidate.

He said Fianna Fáil’s strategy of not making an early decision had been borne out by events that had happened since then, namely the withdrawal of David Norris from the race and Fine Gael’s decision to choose Gay Mitchell as its candidate.

Mr McConalogue said Mr Byrne would be a very credible candidate and somebody who would have a lot of popular support. He said Fianna Fáil should facilitate any credible candidate who wanted to run and said Fine Gael had acted against the spirit of the Constitution by imposing a whip on their councillors. He added that Fianna Fáil had still to decide its strategy and would do so in early September. He, along with several other TDs, did not rule out the possibility of an internal candidate.

"People want someone who is not too associated with politics and I think that Gay Byrne would be a very good choice," Mr O'Dea told the Limerick Leader.

“Fianna Fáil set up a committee to look at candidates and I don’t know who they have come up with but I believe that Gay would be an excellent candidate and highly popular with the electorate,” he said.

The initial approach to Mr Byrne was made a number of months ago through his daughter Crona, who is based in Killaloe in Co Clare. Mr Byrne was very surprised to have been asked and played down the idea.

However, in recent weeks, he has not ruled out the idea and is said to be reflecting on it. The well-placed party source said Mr Byrne would be a very good fit for the presidency at a time of economic uncertainty.

“He is a very reassuring character with huge appeal. If he says that everything will be OK that carries great authority. He is also very strong on the ceremonial side. He was the master of ceremonies when Queen Elizabeth visited the national convention centre and he was unbelievably impressive,” the source added.

Separately, the Independent candidate Mary Davis has said she will extend the Freedom of Information Act to the office of the president, if elected. Ms Davis already has the provisional support of six county councils, two more than is required under the Constitution.