PRESIDENTIAL HOPEFUL Seán Gallagher said Áras an Uachtaráin should not be viewed as a “retirement home for politicians”, when he launched his campaign website yesterday.
The Dragon's Denjudge, who wants to run as an Independent candidate, said the next president had to be "of our time". He strongly emphasised his background in enterprise, saying he was putting that theme at the centre of his campaign.
“I believe that I can play, along with the Government, an important role in building a culture of enterprise, a ‘can do’ approach, to help small businesses to grow and develop throughout the country, to create jobs in every single community,” Mr Gallagher said.
“I know the role that a president can play with other organs of the State, with Enterprise Ireland, with Bord Bia, with the tourism board, Tourism Ireland, to help promote the very best of what Ireland has.”
Accompanied by his wife, Trish O’Connor, Mr Gallagher (49) said he was not a politician and that the upcoming presidential election was not about electing a politician.
“This is not a retirement home for politicians. There’s a job of work to be done and it needs to be done with energy and passion,” he said.
Presidential candidates need the support of 20 Oireachtas members, or four county councils, to get a nomination. Mr Gallagher has obtained the provisional support of five councils: Longford, Roscommon, Donegal, Clare and Leitrim.
He said he would embark on a “listening tour” of the country and promised a “grassroots, organic, community-based” cost-effective campaign funded by small donations from small businesses and individuals, which would be largely driven by volunteers.
“I think it is absurd in the challenging times that everybody in the country is facing to be spending outrageous amounts of money on a political campaign. I think that’s inappropriate. And I want to as best as I can keep this low-cost.”
Mr Gallagher mentioned that he was visually impaired and said working to provide opportunities for people with disabilities would also be a theme of his campaign.
“I myself have a disability. I only ever focus on it when it can be of help to other people.”
