Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)

I commend the House on this discussion and I have listened to Senators' comments with great interest. Like Senator Keane, I agree with Senator Norris's comments regarding an tUachtarán na hÉireann, who is doing a fantastic job and going from strength to strength. The office is held in the highest esteem and each of its holders has increased people's respect for it. This debate is timely. Although there will be differences of opinion concerning how candidates come forward, everyone wants to ensure a full and proper debate. I hope that my contribution will help the House to move this work forward.

The requirements for the nomination of presidential election candidates are set out in Article 12 of the Constitution. This provides that candidates for election must be nominated by not fewer than 20 Members of the Oireachtas or by not fewer than four city or county councils. A former or retiring President may become a candidate on his or her own nomination. No person and no council is entitled to subscribe to the nomination of more than one candidate in respect of the same election. These requirements did not mitigate against there being seven candidates for election in 2011. That election saw the highest ever number of candidates on the ballot paper for a presidential election. Seven candidates were validly nominated. Three were nominated by the Oireachtas and the majority were nominated by city and county councils. Notwithstanding the points made about Whips, party instructions on how to vote and so on, I am unaware of anyone who did not become a candidate through one method or the other.

Allowing councils to nominate gives them a proper role, as laid out in the Constitution, and increases interest in the election as candidates go from council to council. Council members acted in a proper manner. Regardless of political parties, at least four independent candidates ran. The majority of candidates were from outside the party political system.

During the nomination period for the 2011 presidential election, there was some discussion about the need to reform the process. By contrast, some have argued that the existing process worked well. There was an increased level of activity in city and county councils compared with the nomination periods during previous presidential elections. Many councils listened to presentations from several people seeking nominations other than those whose names were eventually on the ballot paper. Regarding any alternative to the current nomination process, it would be important to give careful consideration to any suggestion that this important constitutional role be taken away from elected members of city and county councils.