Jim Gavin writes to Fianna Fáil TDs seeking presidential nomination 

Former Dublin GAA football manager Jim Gavin has written to the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party seeking a nomination to run in the presidential election.

Several ministers, including the Minister for Public Expenditure, Jack Chambers, have already endorsed Mr Gavin for the role.

Fianna Fáil MEP Billy Kelleher has previously formally declared his intention to seek backing and former taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, has refused to rule himself out of the race, despite expressing disappointment that his party’s leadership had failed to support him.

In his letter to TDs, Mr Gavin said members of the party had approached asking if he would put his name forward.

“I was very honoured to have been approached. Since then, I have engaged in thoughtful conversations with people both in the party and in the wider community, "he wrote.

“These discussions have reaffirmed my belief in the unique and vital role the presidency plays in our national life. I believe that, in these turbulent times, Ireland needs a president who can bring people together and promote and represent our shared values and interests at home and abroad.” 

Commitment

The letter continued: “My commitment to you is that I will travel to every part of the country, working alongside you and the party’s members, to promote this vision for an active presidency and to demonstrate Fianna Fáil’s resolute commitment to leading national debate.” 

In a social media post on Saturday, Fianna Fáil’s party whip, Paul McAuliffe, confirmed that Mr Gavin had contacted him seeking a nomination.

He said: “This morning, Jim Gavin called me to confirm he is seeking a nomination.

“I nominated Jim to be the 82nd Freeman of Dublin because of his service to his sport, to his community, and to his country.

“Therefore, I would have no hesitation in nominating him to be a candidate to become Ireland’s first citizen.

“As people around the country get to know Jim, they will see how his humility, his dedication, and his own values make him the right person to represent all of us.” 

Decision

Fianna Fáil’s parliamentary party is expected to make a decision on the presidential election in the early autumn.

So far, left-wing independent Catherine Connolly is the only candidate who has secured the backing needed to get on the presidential ballot paper.

The Galway TD has the backing of Labour, the Social Democrats, People Before Profit-Solidarity and independents.

Sinn Féin has yet to announce whether it will support Ms Connolly or run its own candidate.

Heather Humphreys and Sean Kelly are in a race to secure the Fine Gael nomination, after the withdrawal of Mairead McGuinness in mid-August “on medical advice”.

Election

A presidential election is expected towards the end of October, as it must take place in the 60 days before the second term of President Michael D Higgins ends on November 11.

To be eligible to run, a candidate must be nominated either by 20 members of the Oireachtas or four local authorities.

Although figures such as MMA fighter Conor McGregor and Riverdance star Michael Flatley have said they are looking to run as presidential candidates, they would need to have this support to be on the ballot paper.