Cork Fine Gaelers offer their views on who should be party's nominee for the Áras

Cork Fine Gael TDs, senators, and councillors have given their opinions on the various names they would like to see as the party’s nominee for the presidency, including some Cork locals, following Mairead McGuinness’ decision this week to withdraw from the race.

Heather Humphreys and Seán Kelly were among the other names circulated, with one councillor suggesting that Deirdre Clune would be another great Cork-based candidate.

However, Ms Clune has told The Echo that she will not be running, and Frances Fitzgerald confirmed yesterday afternoon that she would, likewise, not be putting her name forward.

The party is set to reopen its internal party process to pick a candidate for the presidential election after the shock decision by Ms McGuinness to withdraw her candidacy for health reasons.

In a statement issued through the party on Thursday, Ms McGuinness said she made the “very difficult decision” to stand down following a stay in hospital last week. 

“My priority now is my health. Given that the election is in a short couple of months, I do not believe that I have the strength to give the campaign my all,” she said.

Cork South Central TD and junior minister Jerry Buttimer told The Echo: “The first thing is, we all wish Mairead well. She is a person I have huge admiration for. As a political party, it’s time for us to do a bit of reflection on the person we want to see as Fine Gael candidate for the presidency now.

“Personally, I would be looking at Heather Humphreys, who was an extraordinary minister. 

"The way she handled the decade of commemorations unified people, brought them together, and that’s what the presidency must be. 

"Equally, Seán Kelly has done extraordinary work both as president of the GAA and as an MEP.

“If Simon Coveney is interested in running, as a constituency colleague of his for 18 years and as a friend, I would have absolutely huge pride in him being our candidate. He has all the qualities needed to be an exceptional president, without any doubt.”

Cork North Central TD Colm Burke said: “We were all taken by surprise by Mairead’s decision, but health must be a priority. She will be a hard act to follow, but there are candidates there like Seán Kelly on the Munster side. He’s done a lot of work from a GAA point of view and in the European Parliament.

“Heather Humphreys worked very effectively as a minister; she brought a new focus on community development and instigated the free meals in schools.”

He said he would “absolutely” support Mr Coveney. “He has an established record of getting huge votes, and he worked very hard as a TD and a minister representing Cork,” he said. “It’s a challenging role for someone with a young family; you’re very much in the public eye all the time, but he would be a great asset as president, particularly with his experience in foreign affairs.”

Cork North West TD John Paul O’Shea said “all of us in our Fine Gael family” send Mairead their best wishes and he was “disappointed” she was dropping out. 

“From a party perspective, there’s a number of other potential candidates; Heather Humphreys, Seán Kelly, and Simon Coveney,” he said.

“The party will outline the process of seeking further nominations again, but certainly I’d be supportive of any of those going forward. 

"They’re very good people who have given great service over the years. 

"I’d hope we will have a new candidate for Fine Gael in the short to medium term.”

Cork East TD Noel McCarthy said he was “very sorry” to hear Ms McGuinness was dropping out. “It’s a loss for us in the party; she was a great candidate.”

“We’re lucky, we have a good selection of high-quality candidates who would all be a great choice. 

"Personally, I’d like to see Seán Kelly run. I think he’d be a great president; he’s a very popular person and he proved that with his European elections vote. He appeals to all different sectors of society and I think he’d be a great choice. He’s canvassed with me a couple of times, and so many people talk to him about so many topics rather than just politics.”

The party’s Cork senators weighed in, Garret Kelleher saying: “It’s early days yet. We’re just coming to terms with Mairead’s news, and our thoughts are first and foremost with her and her family.

“There will be a meeting of the party’s executive council in the coming days, and towards the top of the agenda will be trying to identify a suitable candidate.

“Simon Coveney is one of a number of people who have built up a considerable political expertise in recent years. He’s represented Ireland tremendously well on the international stage, particularly around the negotiations on the UK withdrawing from the EU. He would make a fine president.

“Equally, there’s a number of other candidates with international records who would be very strong presidential candidates; former minister Heather Humphreys and sitting MEP Seán Kelly.”

Senator Eileen Lynch said: “It came as a shock to all of us that Mairead had dropped out. As international secretary of the party, I worked very closely with her and I think it’s a massive loss, but health has to come first. Politics is one of those games that doesn’t reward you for not minding yourself.

“There are several names being mentioned: Seán Kelly, Heather Humphreys, Simon Coveney, but at the moment it is all speculative. I’m not aware of anyone who has actually put their name forward, so it remains to be seen who I’ll be supporting.”

Cork city councillor Joe Kavanagh said: “It’s a very tight window, because Cork City Council will be meeting with prospective candidates. The message from HQ that Mairead was dropping out was like a bolt out of the blue, but her decision is completely understandable.

“I know Simon Coveney personally; he’s a gentleman, but he has retired as a politician, so whether that rules out the prospect of him running for president I’m not sure.”

Council colleague Shane O’Callaghan wished Ms McGuinness a speedy recovery. “Seán Kelly would be a great candidate,” he said. 

“He got a massive vote in the EU elections and has increased it every time, and he’d have cross-party support as a very pioneering president of the GAA.

“Heather Humphreys would be a very good candidate, and, closer to home, if Simon Coveney could be persuaded, he would be brilliant, he’d win the presidency. He’s recognised internationally, and is arguably one of the best ministers for foreign affairs we’ve ever had.

“Another idea locally would be Deirdre Clune. 

"She has a track record at every level, she’s been a councillor, lord mayor, a TD, senator, and MEP and excelled in all those roles. There’s no shortage of Fine Gael candidates.”

Ms Clune told The Echo: “I was really sad and sorry to hear that Mairead had to withdraw her candidacy. I spent a lot of time with her during my 10 years in Brussels and she is someone I admire greatly. She would have made a great president.

“I won’t be putting my name forward but I think there are many in the party who would also do a great job. Heather Humphreys would be my favourite at this stage.”