Ceann Comhairle tells TDs to stop bringing up presidential election in Dáil

James Cox

Politicians have been told to stop bringing up the presidential election in the Dáil.

Several references were made to the upcoming vote during Leader's Questions this afternoon.

Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy said the President’s Office is meant to be above politics.

"There will be no mention of the presidential election. We have agreed under salient rulings, the President's Office is above debate.

"That includes nominees or mentioning the election, both sides of the House... please respect the salient ruling."

Despite the Ceann Comhairle's appeal, the election has been overtly political with one candidate backed by Fine Gael in Heather Humphreys and Independent candidate Catherine Connolly, who is backed by most of the Opposition.

Jim Gavin, the Fianna Fáil nominee who suspended his campaign, will also still appear on the ballot.

Ms Connolly has a lead in the latest polling, but it is unclear how Mr Gavin's withdrawal will impact on the results with political pundits speculating Ms Humphreys will be in line to benefit from this.

While Ms Connolly has the backing of the Opposition, some have declared their support for Ms Humphreys.

Despite his party's official backing of Ms Connolly, former Labour leader Alan Kelly has said he will "reluctantly" vote for Ms Humphreys.

Former Green Party TD Brian Leddin said he would be leaving the party over leader Roderic O'Gorman's decision to back the "far left" Ms Connolly.

Former Green Party senator and party chair Pauline O'Reilly also criticised the decision, and said she would vote for Ms Humphreys.

"I think it's a mistake to back a candidate and not know what they're going to say," Ms O'Reilly told RTÉ.

"There was no need to back a candidate unless you were going to run a candidate. I think that would have been the best thing but I'm not the leader of the party, Roderic O'Gorman is. I wouldn't have made that decision myself.

"It's a mistake by the party and I certainly won't be telling people how to vote in this election."

She added: "Very similar to Alan Kelly. I've huge respect for Heather Humphreys. She would do a good job on the diplomatic front. We have differences in policies but I don't think they extend to foreign affairs."