Seán Gallagher says he will seek nomination for presidential election

Businessman Seán Gallagher has announced he is to seek a nomination to run in the presidential election in October.

Mr Gallagher – who also contested the 2011 election – issued a statement on Wednesday morning saying he will ask for support from county councils for his bid.

Motions to nominate Sean Gallagher to stand in the presidential election have been submitted to 10 county councils since Tuesday, Mr Gallagher’s campaign said.

As expected, Mr Gallagher confirmed his intention to seek a nomination to stand in the forthcoming presidential election, following the formal issuing of the order for the election – which will take place on October 26th – by the Minister for Local Government Eoghan Murphy.

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Nominations formally open on Thursday morning and will remain open until September 26th. By then aspiring candidates will need nominations from either 20 Oireachtas members or four local authorities.

Fresh approach

In his statement, Mr Gallagher said: “Today I can officially confirm my decision to seek a nomination as an Independent candidate for the 2018 presidential election. It is my intention to seek a nomination from four local authorities pursuant to article 12 of the Constitution.

“Ireland is changing and the next president needs to provide a fresh approach at this important juncture for Ireland. We have as a people an opportunity to redefine the role of president in the context of a changing society, while cherishing all that is unique about Ireland,” he said.

“While confronted with many challenges there are now emerging opportunities for Ireland to secure its position as a significant player within Europe and globally. This must be matched by creating an inclusive, diverse and equal Ireland for all, where diversity is not just accepted, but celebrated.

“A presidential election is an opportunity for candidates to demonstrate their energy and creativity in helping to nurture what is best about Ireland while helping to adapt to the rapidly changing world we all live in.

“My decision to seek a nomination through the local authorities is a recognition of my own view that

councillors are the closest link to the electorate. Their right to nominate a candidate for the presidential election is a significant right enshrined in Bunreacht na hÉireann and I believe that this constitutional right is one that many councillors intend to use.

“My focus now is to meet and speak with councillors to seek their support and to listen to their views about the type of leadership they wish to see from the presidency over the next seven years.

Mr Gallagher lost out to President Michael D Higgins in 2011 having been a front-runner in several opinion polls before the vote.

Other candidates

Prospective candidates including Senator Joan Freeman, artist Kevin Sharkey, businessman Gavin Duffy and former Irish Independent journalist Gemma O’Doherty are continuing their campaigns to secure nominations through county councils, as are a number of less well-known potential candidates.

Sinn Féin has said it will be putting forward a candidate while Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael is not putting forward a candidates and will back Mr Higgins.

Responding to the announcement, Mr Duffy noted the move by Mr Gallagher. Both men were investors on the RTÉ series Dragons' Den.

“It is desirable that councillors – and ultimately, the people – have a wide choice from which to select their nominee,” he said.

He said he looked forward to “meeting and making presentations with all candidates who have chosen to seek nominations through the county council process.”