The former Minister for Foreign Affairs and candidate for the Fianna Fail presidential nomination, Mr Michael O'Kennedy TD, welcomed the county councils' decision to nominate Dana.
"As a member of the Constitutional Review Committee, I share the view that the current nominating procedures are too restrictive and I hope that they will be changed by way of referendum in the near future.
"However, I feel now that it is essential that Fianna Fail, as the major political party, engage directly and vigorously in the democratic process and wage a decent and honourable campaign for the position of first citizen of Ireland."
Mr O'Kennedy continued: "It would be a tremendous honour for me to be chosen as a candidate for that high office and I believe that I can perform that task in accordance with the Constitution, and by way of expressing the unique character and culture of the people of Ireland.
"I am greatly encouraged by the growing support I am receiving from my colleagues in the Fianna Fail Party and I am very confident that I will have the honour of receiving our party nomination and going before the people of Ireland for their approval and endorsement."
The former High Court judge, Mr Rory O'Hanlon, said he was delighted to hear she had been nominated by the requisite number of county councils. "I heard her speak at a large public meeting and I was very impressed by her personality, intelligence and articulateness. She also has a firm commitment to what are called traditional values and to traditional Christian family values. I would be proud to be represented by her if she was elected as President of Ireland," he said.
He added that he expected her to get the support of many of the over 800,000 people who had resisted the pressure of the political parties and the media to vote Yes in the divorce referendum. Youth Defence said it applauded the local authorities and hoped the unborn would be protected from future pro-abortion legislation.