PLANS FOR an alliance of between 20 and 30 independent candidates, Democracy Now, to run for the Dáil on a broadly agreed platform have been called off for logistical reasons.
The movement was expected to be launched on RTÉ's Late Late Showlast Friday night but, for reasons of timing, about one-third of the candidates abandoned their electoral plans at the last minute.
Personal and professional difficulties caused by the bringing forward of the election date meant there were only a dozen or so still available and it was felt this was insufficient.
The group had already established a campaign headquarters in premises lent by Riverdancepromoter John McColgan at Gateway House on Dublin's Capel Street. Donations were pledged but it is understood the total was less than the reported sum of €400,000. A news conference to launch the movement was to take place tomorrow or on Wednesday.
But when it began to emerge the general election would be held earlier than the March 11th date originally set by Taoiseach Brian Cowen, this complicated the professional and personal arrangements of a number of those planning to run. A decision was taken last Wednesday to abandon the project.
The agreed aims of Democracy Now were threefold:
- A referendum on the EU-IMF bailout with a view to negotiating a structured default;
- Reform of political structures; and
- Measures to end cronyism in public life.
The project was the brainchild of economist and broadcaster David McWilliams and Irish Timescolumnist and author Fintan O'Toole. O'Toole intended to run in the Dublin North West constituency, where he lives. Mr McWilliams opted eventually for the role of policy adviser rather than election candidate.
A large number of community activists and other individuals were approached to run. One-third of the intended candidates were women.
Independent Trinity College Senator Shane Ross, who was on the list, has proceeded with his candidacy in any case.
Organisers say that among a very wide range of individuals approached to consider the possibility of running were:
- Eamon Dunphy, broadcaster and author;
- Séamus Boland, chief executive of Irish Rural Link, which campaigns on rural development issues;
- Catherine Murphy, former independent TD for Kildare North;
- Finian McGrath, sitting TD for Dublin North Central;
- Donal Óg Cusack, Cork hurling goalkeeper; and
- Liam Griffin, hotelier and former Wexford hurling team manager.
O’Toole said last night: “The sole reason it didn’t happen was because of time.”
