FINE GAEL MEP Gay Mitchell has emerged as the favourite to win the party's nomination for the presidency after formally entering the race yesterday. There was strong support for the 59-year-old Dubliner from a representative cross-section of Fine Gael TDs and Senators contacted by The Irish Times.
Many of those contacted expressed outright opposition to any nomination of former Progressive Democrat MEP and European Parliament chairman Pat Cox, whose application to join Fine Gael will be discussed by the party’s executive council next week. Mr Cox is widely expected to seek the nomination once he is a Fine Gael member.
A number of party representatives said they were opposed to “parachute” candidates and vowed to resist any instruction, if one were to come, to support Mr Cox.
Of the 12 TDs and Senators contacted, eight said they would support Mr Mitchell, three said they were undecided between Mr Mitchell and MEP Mairead McGuinness and one expressed support for Mr Cox. All spoke off the record, except Dublin South Central TD Catherine Byrne, who backed Mr Mitchell.
The early front runner, Independent Senator David Norris, has lost ground after controversy over remarks he made in the past on issues such as the age of consent, abortion and prostitution.
Mr Norris, who needs the support of 20 Oireachtas members or four county councils, plans to address councils in Wicklow, Wexford and Carlow on Monday, although no decisions can be taken until September.
Co Wexford Fianna Fáil councillor Malcolm Byrne, who tabled a motion to nominate Mr Norris last May, said controversy had done the Independent Senator a huge amount of damage, but he still supported his right to stand.
Six months ago, Mr Mitchell ruled out a bid for the presidency but reconsidered after former taoiseach John Bruton said last month he would not be a candidate. In a statement, Mr Mitchell said he would be standing as a Christian Democratic candidate placing emphasis on rights, responsibilities, enterprise and social justice.