Jim Gavin selected as Fianna Fáil candidate for presidential election
Jim Gavin has been selected as Fianna Fáil's candidate for the presidential election.
The former Dublin GAA manager defeated the Ireland South MEP Billy Kelleher in a secret ballot of the parliamentary party by 41 votes to 29.
Both Mr Gavin and Mr Kelleher gave 10-minute presentations before the secret vote.
Mr Gavin managed to carry his declared candidates and more to win the vote, with 41 members of the parliamentary party backing him.
But the contest was closer than expected – a margin of 59 per cent to 41 per cent.
Most observers said anything above 25 votes for Billy Kelleher would be something of a headache for Micheál Martin, who put a lot of political capital into Jim Gavin.
But Mr Gavin has won – and is the third name confirmed for October's vote alongside left-wing Independent Catherine Connolly and Fine Gael's Heather Humphreys.
Speaking on his way in to Leinster House, where the vote was held, Mr Gavin said he had “a great two weeks” visiting parliamentary party members.
He added: “A great energy and I’m just looking forward this morning to putting my view [to] the party. I think competition is very good.”
Mr Kelleher said he would emphasise to the parliamentary party how the next president should use their “soft power” to advocate for citizens on the margins.
He said that the president should be a unifying figure.
“Either way, the idea that we would have a good, robust debate within our party I think was a positive step, I like to see democracy play out in all aspects.”
Mr Gavin is the third candidate of the presidential election, which will be held on Friday, October 24th.
To run as a presidential candidate, a person must be an Irish citizen over the age of 35 and nominated by either 20 members of the Oireachtas or by four local authorities.
Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin and Fine Gael command enough support in the Dáil to put forward their own candidates.
Sinn Féin has not yet decided whether it will field its own candidate or back an independent, such as Ms Connolly.
The party said it will decide on September 20th, four days before nominations for candidates close.
