Gallagher pledges 'can do' culture

Entrepreneur Sean Gallagher says he would help Government build a “culture of enterprise” if elected president.

The Dragon's Den judge, who wants to run as an Independent candidate, said the upcoming election was not about electing a politician. He was speaking at the unveiling of his campaign website in Dublin city centre.

“I believe that I can play, along with the Government, an important role in building a culture of enterprise, a ‘can do’ approach, to help small businesses to grow and develop throughout the country, to create jobs in every single community,” he said.

Mr Gallagher described small businesses employing small numbers of people as the “glue” that held communities together.

The next president had to be “of our time”, he said. “This is not a retirement home for politicians. There’s a job of work to be done, and it needs to be done with energy and passion,” he said.

“I know the role that a president can play with other organs of the State, with Enterprise Ireland, with Bord Bia, with the tourism board, Tourism Ireland, to help promote the very best of what Ireland has.”

Potential presidential candidates need the support of 20 Oireachtas members, or four county councils, to get a nomination. Mr Gallagher has obtained the provisional support of five councils, but he said his work was not over.

He said he would embark on a “listening tour” of the country and promised a “grassroots, organic, community-based campaign” largely driven by volunteers.

Mr Gallagher said he was tired of relentless negativity and the focus on what was not working.