CAMPAIGN: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.
The Taoiseach was speaking at the Department of the Environment headquarters yesterday at the Custom House in Dublin, where he accompanied Mr Mitchell as he handed in his nomination papers.
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.”
Independent candidate Seán Gallagher handed in his nomination papers for the election earlier yesterday morning. Speaking afterwards, he said he was now in a position to start his campaign. He said jobs, national confidence and tackling emigration would be among his priority messages.
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