Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is to hold a special meeting to consider the possibility of nominating Ms Rosemary Browne (Dana) as a candidate for the presidency. She needs the support of at least four local authorities for her nomination attempt to succeed.
The council last night rejected as out of order a motion tabled by the Independent councillor, Mr Richard Greene, that the council immediately declare its support for the former Eurovision winner.
Refusing to allow a debate on the issue, the Cathaoirleach, Mr Donal Marren (FG), said he had received a written request from seven members for a special meeting and had set September 22nd as the date for that meeting. Acknowledging that a special meeting was necessary under the legislation, Mr Greene said "what is happening is that the political establishments are trying to put a veto on who will run for the highest office in the land. The closing date for nominations is the end of September, and for many county councils arranging a special meeting could not happen until October". Meanwhile, the chairman of Galway County Council, Mr Michael Finnerty, confirmed that Ms Browne had requested permission to address Friday's meeting of the council. Her candidature has already been endorsed by Mr Joe Brennan, an Independent member of Galway County Council. Mr Finnerty said he had no problem with the Derry-born singer making her case for a nomination at the meeting, but the decision to give her the go-ahead to speak would be taken by all members and would involve the suspension of their standing orders. Ms Browne was in Limerick and Ennis yesterday canvassing support in her bid to become the next President. According to her husband, Mr Damien Scallon, she has received commitments from several councillors.
Democratic Left councillor, Mr John Ryan, a member of Limerick City Council, said if she is propose he would support her nomination. "I would not support her views, but if she wants to run for office, I think she should be given the opportunity to have her name on the ballot paper." Mr Ryan said there should be an election. Members of Louth County Council postponed nominating either Dana or Mr Derek Nally at its monthly meeting yesterday. Motions of support for presidential candidates would be debated at a meeting on September 29th.
Several council members voiced strong criticism of the procedure for nominations.