It was all over in seven minutes. To the surprise of a majority of its members, Wicklow County Council joined Donegal and Kerry in nominating Dana for the Presidency. At 1 p.m. exactly, the five signatories of the resolution calling for a special meeting "to discuss the Presidency" were in their seats. They were the only councillors present. The council chairman, Mr Pat Vance (FF), satisfied himself that the five councillors established a quorum, and an Independent councillor, Ms Susan Phillips, made a short speech nominating Dana. She was seconded by another Independent, Mr Jim Ruttle.
Two Oireachtas members, Mr Shane Ross and Ms Mildred Fox, and a Green Party councillor, Ms Emer Singleton, were also present. The decision was declared unanimous.
Afterwards Ms Phillips said she believed her fellow-councillors "may have behaved diplomatically. They may have waited outside the door". Ms Phillips, said the former Eurovision winner would make a "fine president. She is a lovely speech-maker and a member of the world of arts and culture. She represents Ireland and there has never even been a whiff of scandal about her".
Later council officials cautioned that the meeting might be open to challenge. After a hurried conference Ms Phillips explained that her motion to call it mentioned a discussion "on the role of the Independents in the presidential race, and if necessary to nominate a candidate".
Concern surrounded the fact that nowhere in the motion was the name of Rosemary Brown or Dana specifically mentioned. Officials were later attempting to ascertain whether or not Dana's name should have been specified in the motion. Ultimately Ms Phillips declared that she felt other councillors would not challenge the legality of the nomination. "They won't," she said, "God is in it."