SEÁN GALLAGHER’S links to Fianna Fáil were raised again yesterday with Sinn Féin rival Martin McGuinness accusing the presidential front-runner of being “up to his neck” in the party.
Speaking during a debate organised by Newstalk and Google, Mr McGuinness said he had no doubt Mr Gallagher, an Independent candidate, had strong ties with Fianna Fáil – the party he said was responsible for running the State into ruin. “I do think that there is no doubt whatsoever that Seán has been up to his neck in Fianna Fáil,” Mr McGuinness said.
“Fianna Fáil is the party that ran the economy into the ground. Fianna Fáil was the party that was involved in the brown envelope culture, the Galway tent, and involved in betraying the people of Ireland.”
Mr Gallagher later said he had “never been in denial” about his political background and that the election was not party political and “nor should it be”.
The debate, moderated by former minister Ivan Yates, put a selection of questions to the candidates that the public had posted on the internet. Topics included the candidate’s vision for Ireland, promoting job creation, religion and the Constitution, same-sex marriage and adoption, and cuts to budgets for welfare and special needs children.
Asked if he supported austerity measures introduced by his party in Government, Labour candidate Michael D Higgins said he did not think it was possible for a country to “cut its way back to growth”.
Mr Higgins stressed he was not part of the Government before going on to deny he was an “à la carte” Labour member. He said he had support from both his party and Independent members of the Oireachtas and this was because he would bring considerable experience to the role of president.
When questioned about his recent slide to second in opinion polls, Mr Higgins said he was not guilty of running a complacent campaign.
Independent candidate Mary Davis said there should be full equality for same-sex couples.
Independent candidate David Norris said he had a track record of protecting the Constitution and public, having previously stood against legislation such as the bank guarantee and tax amnesty as a member of the Seanad.
Asked if she felt the campaign had been fair, Dana Rosemary Scallon said that Independent candidates were at a disadvantage against those running on behalf of a party, particularly in fundraising.
