Dublin: With the presidential election approaching, a number of high-profile figures have begun to signal their intention to contest, as the nomination deadline of Tuesday, November 11, draws near.
Among the early contenders is former Fine Gael minister Mary Hanafin, whose candidacy has sparked notable political interest. Joining the list of potential Fine Gael nominees are former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, former minister Éamon Ó Cuív, and MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú. MEP Seán Kelly and former MEP Mairead McGuinness have also emerged as possible candidates for the party’s nomination.
Sinn Féin has yet to announce a candidate. However, Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O’Neill has not ruled out entering the race. She highlighted the unresolved issue that while people in Northern Ireland can run for the Irish presidency, they currently cannot vote in the election. She emphasised that this constitutional inconsistency must be addressed. Separately, former SDLP leader Colum Eastwood is also reported to be considering a presidential bid.
Sinn Féin is expected to table a motion in the Dáil today, calling for the extension of voting rights in presidential elections to people in Northern Ireland, in line with long-standing party policy and ongoing constitutional debates.
Fianna Fáil’s Dilemma
Fianna Fáil has not fielded a presidential candidate since 1997. The party abstained from the 2011 election following a poor general election performance, and it chose not to contest the 2018 election, allowing President Michael D. Higgins to run unopposed by the party.
However, former minister Mary Hanafin has publicly argued that Fianna Fáil must not remain on the sidelines in 2025. “It would be an insult to the presidency if the largest political party in the country failed to field a candidate,” she said. Hanafin described the election as a vital constitutional process that should not be bypassed for strategic reasons.
Hanafin and current Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin have had a complicated political relationship. In 2011, she lost a leadership bid to Martin and later defied party instructions by running in the 2014 local elections in Blackrock. Despite these past differences, Hanafin said she and Martin now share cordial relations, though Martin has not yet publicly commented.
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