Dana could win popular support for Presidency

The political establishment was staying tight-lipped yesterday in response to the news that Dana, the first Irish winner of the Eurovision Song Contest, is planning to stand for the Presidency on an anti-abortion ticket. Party sources were hoping what one called "the latest silly-season suggestion for the Presidency" would go away quietly. "Who's next - Daniel O'Donnell?" said one spokesman, who declined to be named.

Although the main parties could easily block the 44-year-old singer's candidature, there was some unease that her campaign could quickly win popular support. Traditional Catholic groups are planning a prayer crusade later this month to try to get her elected.

Only hours after John Hume appeared to discount rumours that he was interested in the job, another Derry candidate threw her hat into the presidential ring.

Dana - her real name is Rosemary Brown - said yesterday she wanted to "give back something to the Irish people" by standing for President. Speaking from her home in Alabama in the US, she added: "This is not an ego trip, I am not doing this for financial gain or emotional security."

Announcing her interest in the post, Dana said she would make "no apologies" for being antiabortion. "I believe that abortion kills the child . . . it wounds the woman and kills the soul of the people. Most women do not go into it easily, it is a terrible decision in their lives, generally brought about by fears or worries." Women who want to complete their pregnancies should be given the "security" to do so.

She promised to exercise an independent political judgement as President if she came under "undue" party pressure. Asked how her election would be received in the North, she said unionists were "in line" with her thinking.

The National Party promised her its unreserved support. The party secretary, Ms Maureen Normoyle, said Dana would be more representative of Irish Catholics than the President, Mrs Robinson.

However, other traditional Ca tholic and anti-abortion groups were more sceptical. The Pro-Life Campaign and the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children said they did not endorse individual candidates, even if they took an anti-abortion stance.

Dr Gerard Casey of the Christian Solidarity Party said he did not know much about the singer. The party would be happy to support an anti-abortion candidate, but its stance would depend on which candidates were standing.

Dana is only one of a number of names being discussed in antiabortion circles as presidential candidates. Others include Mrs Alice Glenn; former High Court judge, Mr Rory O'Hanlon; Prof William Binchy; Mr Des Hanafin and Dr Casey. Mrs Glenn, Mr O'Hanlon and Dr Casey are understood not to be interested in the job. Mr Binchy and Mr Hanafin are unlikely to stand if they are elected to the Seanad this week.

Dana needs to be nominated by at least 20 members of the Oireachtas or by four county councils. This restriction, contained in Article 12 of the Constitution, gives the main political parties an effective stranglehold on who stands for the job.

Yesterday, she told RTE radio she had discussed the Presidency with her husband and children, who were "very excited" about it. "I would be willing to give up my career and it would be a great honour to serve the people as President." Asked whether this would mean the end of her musical career, Dana replied: "There's nothing in the Constitution to say I can't sing as President".