Presidential nomination by popular wish urged

THE Progressive Democrats are that the Constitution should be amended to allow 20,000 citizens to ratify a candidate for the Presidential election.

The party leader, Ms Mary Harney, announced last night the party would introduce a Private Members' Bill to this effect in the Dail in coming weeks.

She said the referendum to permit such a nomination could take place at the forthcoming general election, well in time to allow its legal implementation in November.

The electorate was naturally very concerned that the Presidency might relapse into a party political retirement post, Ms Harney continued. "We do not need what has been light heartedly referred to as a Val Doonican Presidency - in which rockers, carpet slippers, cardigans, log fires and golf games are the public image of the job. We need a hands on Presidency which is engaged with the people."

In a statement, she said three methods of nominating a Presidential candidate were allowed in Article 12.4 of the Constitution nomination by 20 TDs or senators; nomination by four local authorities, or self nomination by an outgoing or former President.

In the next election, she added, [only the first two methods were relevant.

The Constitution Review Group stated said the present system of nomination was "too restrictive and in need of democratisation". It suggested either a popular nomination, which would pose some difficulties in verification, or reducing the number of Oireachtas members required for a nomination.

"To call for the latter might be seen as special pleading by the PDs, and as keeping the process essentially party political," Ms Harney said.

She would be proposing by way of a Private Members' Bill the amendment of the Constitution to include in Article 12.4.2 the following paragraph: "(iii) by the written nomination of not less than 20,000 persons entitled for the time being to vote in an election under this Article, such nomination to be made and verified in a manner prescribed by law."