The Mayor of Galway, Cllr Catherine Connolly (Lab), has expressed extreme disappointment at the Labour parliamentary party's failure to nominate Galway West TD Michael D Higgins for the presidency.
"I am not surprised, but I am very very disappointed," Cllr Connolly said yesterday when she also confirmed that Galway City Council had received no approach to date from the former Independent MEP, Ms Dana Rosemary Scallon, in relation to the presidency.
Cllr Connolly, a barrister and mother of two, said that she believed her party should have nominated Mr Higgins months ago and prepared a campaign. "I would be absolutely 100 per cent behind him, he would be a great candidate and would show great vision and leadership,"she said.
Cllr Connolly, who as mayor is Cathaoirleach of the city council, said that she had not received any notification from Ms Dana Rosemary Scallon in relation to her nomination, and would not support its inclusion on the agenda for the council's special meeting on Monday. However, she confirmed that Ms Scallon could seek its inclusion on the next ordinary meeting on September 27th.
Cllr Connolly said she favoured an election for president, but would not be drawn on Ms Scallon's nomination. "I would prefer to deal with that if and when it comes before us,"she said.
Other Galway city councillors contacted yesterday were also non-committal, with deputy mayor Cllr Pádraig Conneely (FG) saying he was "undecided", while Fianna Fáil and PD councillors said that they would not support Ms Scallon's nomination as they supported President McAleese.
The Green Party councillor, Mr Niall Ó Brolcháin, said that he would endorse her right to run, while not necessarily supporting her policies.
The Sinn Féin councillor, Mr Daniel Callanan, said that he would personally support Ms Scallon's right to run, but in terms of voting he would have to consult with his party. The Independent councillor, Mr Mike Crowe, said that he would be "open minded" and prepared to hear Ms Scallon's case.
