Dana yesterday became the first official candidate for this year's presidential election when she was nominated by five county councils. "It's a wonderful day for democracy in Ireland - I'm delighted," said Dana in Cork as she learned that Longford County Council had joined with Donegal, Wicklow and Kerry County Councils in nominating her.
Tipperary North Riding later also backed her candidature for the October presidential election to succeed Mrs Mary Robinson.
Dana - otherwise known as Mrs Rosemary Scallon nee Brown - admitted that she was surprised to have secured the support of the required four local authorities so quickly, but she paid tribute to the many councillors throughout the State who had backed her.
"My name is on the ticket and my thanks to the councillors of Ireland - they're the closest to the people of Ireland - for showing the world that democracy is alive and well in Ireland today. Many of them had to stand against their own party whip but at the end of the day, the spirit of democracy was so strong in this country, it won through and women and men stood courageously together and voted for my democratic right to run."
She admitted that her campaign team had tried to target councils where she knew there were councillors who supported her, but she said she was not sure if her success was due to her own personal appeal or to a desire to open up the contest.
"I'm not sure whether it was something in me or a desire to have a more open election - it would be hard to decipher which - maybe it was a bit of both but whichever it was, it was a wonderful day for democracy," she said.
Dana also welcomed the decision of the Chernobyl Children Project director, Ms Adi Roche, to allow her name go forward before the Labour Party for nomination today, saying that it further enhanced the democratic process.
"I think it's wonderful - I think the people of Ireland should be given as big a choice as possible. She's a fine woman - it's not for me to say anything else about the other candidates - I trust the judgment of the people of Ireland," she said.
And what of her own chances? Did she think she could win? "It would be an honour to serve the people of Ireland - I trust and respect them and whoever they choose as their President it will be somebody who shares their vision for the future, and I trust their judgment whoever they pick," she said.
Following the news that Dana had already secured the necessary support of four local authorities, independent Cllr Con O'Leary withdrew his motion at Cork Corporation proposing her and proposed a vote of congratulations which was passed unanimously.