Wicklow County Council: Wicklow county councillors have refused a request by Ms Dana Rosemary Scallon to nominate her for the presidency, writes Liam Reid
At a meeting in the council offices yesterday afternoon, Fianna Fáil, Labour and Fine Gael councillors voted to refuse the request, made at the last minute yesterday morning.
In a letter sent by fax to the county secretary, Mr Tom Murphy, the former MEP said she wrote as "as a matter of urgency" seeking a nomination from the council before October 1st, the closing date for nominations. She said: "I passionately believe that there should be a contest for the presidency of Ireland as it affords the electorate the opportunity to provide a mandate for the next presidential term."
Under the council's regulations, it was unable to consider the nomination at yesterday's meeting.
However, a proposal to have a special meeting of the council to consider the request was rejected, with only three voting in favour: Mr Tommy Cullen (Ind); Ms Deirdre de Búrca, Green Party; and Mr Christopher Fox, brother of Ms Mildred Fox TD.
Describing it as "a very courageous step on behalf of Dana Rosemary Scallon to take on the entire establishment", Mr Cullen accused council colleagues of being "afraid of democracy" by voting against holding the meeting.
Tipperary councils
Ms Scallon faces an uphill struggle to win backing for her presidential campaign from North and South Tipperary County Councils, writes Peter Gleeson.
The mayor of North Tipperary, Mr John Hogan (FF), said Dana would have to produce an imaginative manifesto if she wanted to convince the council she would be a better president than Mrs McAleese. "If she cannot do this then I think a presidential election is a waste of taxpayers' money. She has yet to convince me that she has a real alternative to offer in the role of president."
The chairman of South Tipperary County Council, Mr Mattie McGrath (FF), said Mrs McAleese was "doing a great job and it would be foolish to have an election".
Sligo County Council
Sligo county councillors united yesterday in turning down Ms Scallon's request for support, writes Marese McDonagh.
The whips of the three main political parties indicated they did not wish to hold a special meeting to discuss her presidential nomination.
After the meeting Cllr Paul Conmy (FG) told reporters he and his colleagues had received a directive from party headquarters to the effect that Fine Gael was not supporting Dana.
At the end of a lengthy meeting, the Independent chairwoman of the county council raised Dana's request for support under "any other business". Ms Margaret Gormley pointed out that the former MEP had not "fully adhered to the conditions"; she should have given "three clear days' notice" but had sent a fax at 10.50 a.m. yesterday.
Following a brief discussion the chairwoman remarked there was obviously no point in going ahead with a special meeting .
Clare County Council
Clare County Council last night voted not to exercise its power to nominate a candidate for the office of president, writes Gordon Deegan.
The council agreed to a suspension of standing orders to allow a debate and vote on the issue.
Proposing the motion, Cllr Patricia McCarthy (Ind) said: "We are always complaining that councillors do not have enough power and this is an opportunity to use that power.
"Just because someone has done a very good job in office should not mean that an election for that post should not take place."
Cllr Tommy Brennan, the "mayor" of Clare, said the matter should be put to a vote, and a majority of Fianna Fáil councillors along with the Fine Gael group defeated the motion by 16 votes to 12.