NOMINATIONS IN the presidential election do not close for another week but, already, the process has caused political damage to the leaderships of both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael while the nomination of Martin McGuinness of Sinn Féin has opened up the possibility of a further shift in traditional alignments. At this stage, it appears likely that at least five candidates, including two Independents, will go forward for the election on October 27th.
The raw ambition of Sinn Féin was shown in the surprise nomination of Mr McGuinness and his temporary replacement as deputy first minister in the Northern Ireland Executive. Mr McGuinness maintains that his involvement in the election will strengthen the Northern Ireland peace process. Unionists are unlikely to accept that proposition because Sinn Féin will base its campaign on the establishment of a new republic. Should he succeed, a formal resignation would damage a peace process that remains at a delicate stage. In view of that and the central role Mr McGuinness played in securing the Belfast Agreement, it may be that this exercise is aimed not so much at winning the presidential election as of doing terminal damage to Fianna Fáil.
At their most sanguine, Sinn Féin could not have hoped for a more damaging strategy from Fianna Fáil. Initially, in an attempt to focus attention on Fine Gael’s efforts to deny a nomination to David Norris, Micheál Martin announced that party councillors would be free to support an Independent candidate. Then, having set up a party committee to decide on its nomination, he ignored it and offered support to Gay Byrne. When that didn’t work out, he returned to plan A and the party agreed not to run a candidate. Mr Martin was subsequently ambushed by internal enemies and by Labhrás Ó Murchú, a long-term Fianna Fáil Senator who presented himself improbably as an Independent candidate and requested a free vote. Mr Martin is now faced with the prospect of denying Oireachtas members a facility already granted to county councillors.
Fine Gael can only hope the entry of Sinn Féin will motivate its members to support the flagging campaign of Gay Mitchell, who secured the nomination against the wishes of the party leadership. The Labour Party is concerned about the impact a high-profile, vigorous candidate and an anti-establishment campaign by Sinn Féin could have on the prospects of Michael D Higgins. Having secured nominations from various county councils, Mary Davis and Seán Gallagher are building support.
David Norris is trying desperately to re-enter the race, while Dana Rosemary Scallon has declared her intention to stand if she can secure Independent and Fianna Fáil support. Few would argue against offering the electorate a wide choice of candidates, irrespective of their political affiliations. The Office of President is a trusted and respected institution that is above politics. Because of that, the nomination process should be reformed.