Taoiseach Enda Kenny has refused to be drawn into criticism expressed by senior Fine Gael colleagues on the suitability of Sinn Féin’s Martin McGuinness to stand in the presidential election.
Mr Kenny said he was focused wholly on the campaign of the Fine Gael candidate Gay Mitchell and not that of anybody else.
“I have never commented on people in any kind of election. I will say this: Gay Mitchell is an appropriate candidate,” said Mr Kenny.
He said he did not accept the suggestion that Fine Gael was using Minister for Justice Alan Shatter as the vehicle to attack Mr McGuinness.
The Taoiseach was speaking at the Department of Environment headquarters at the Custom House, where he accompanied Mr Mitchell as he handed in his nomination papers. A group of 20 Fine Gael TDs and Senators were also present, including Minister for Environment Phil Hogan and Minister for Children Frances Fitzgerald.
Mr Kenny described Mr Mitchell as a first class candidate. “I think he brings brilliant credential to this campaign. I hope over the next few weeks that he will be able to explain that.”
Asked for his opinion on the candidacies of David Norris and Dana Rosemary Scallon, he said that the Fine Gael electoral college had chosen Mr Mitchell and the inclusion of other candidates was a matter for themselves.
He said Fine Gael was not pursuing a strategy of blocking other prospective candidates. “We have our own candidate. We are only supporting Gay Mitchell. Fine Gael councillors are free to abstain if they so wish.”
Mr Mitchell said he was not unduly worried about early polls and added that the campaign would commence only when the nomination process had been competed. “We are going to be very strong on the ground,” he said.
Asked if such a large field, comprising seven candidates, would create difficulties, he replied: “I will do my best to contribute to a meaningful debate. It’s difficult when you have seven candidates.”