THE BATTLE within Fine Gael for the party’s presidential nomination has intensified, with Minister for Justice Alan Shatter declaring his support for Gay Mitchell and Minister for Finance Michael Noonan signing the nomination papers of Pat Cox.
Meanwhile, four local authorities meet today to decide whether they will nominate any of the three Independent candidates so far in the field.
Mr Mitchell, MEP for Dublin and a former minister of state, now has the declared support of Mr Shatter and Minister of State for European Affairs Lucinda Creighton, as well as former taoiseach John Bruton.
Other leading figures within the party are expected to show their hands over the coming days. The candidate will be decided at a convention next Saturday. Mr Shatter, a long-time friend of Mr Mitchell, described him as a “grounded individual” with a fantastic record in politics, but said he would be happy to support whichever candidate wins the election.
Meanwhile, it has emerged Minister for Finance Michael Noonan has signed the nomination papers of Mr Cox. It was not clear last night whether Mr Noonan had nominated any of the other three contenders, as allowed under the rules, but a spokesman for Mr Cox said it was evidence of the former MEP’s widening support within Fine Gael.
The spokesman emphasised a weekend poll in which Mr Cox had higher support than any other party candidate – though less than Senator David Norris or Labour’s Michael D Higgins.
A spokesman for Mr Noonan said the Minister had been one of 20 to nominate Mr Cox, but he had made no public declaration as to who he would be supporting.
Dragons’ Den panellist Seán Gallagher is likely to secure more support from local authorities after county councils in Leitrim, Meath, Monaghan and Wicklow meet today.
Mr Gallagher already has provisional backing from four councils, the required number. Mr Gallagher is running as an Independent candidate but his spokesman confirmed he was a member of Fianna Fáil’s national executive until the end of last year. He said he had decided not to remain in frontline politics because of his community activities.
Mr Mitchell received a significant boost when Mr Bruton signed his nomination papers on Friday. Mr Bruton has not signed the nomination forms of any of the other candidates – MEP Maireád McGuinness, Mr Cox and former MEP Avril Doyle. Mr Bruton, who ruled himself out of the race several weeks ago, praised Mr Mitchell as a clear thinker with strong convictions and principles.
Fine Gael Minister for Transport and Tourism Leo Varadkar has indicated he will endorse one of the candidates after he consults his constituency organisation. Special Olympics executive Mary Davis and Mr Norris each have the support of one council. Independent candidates require the backing of four councils or 20 members of the Oireachtas.