Presidential hopefuls address the council
Investigative journalist Gemma O'Doherty and businessman and TV personality Gavin Duffy were among four presidential hopefuls to address Westmeath County Council at a special meeting this afternoon in Mullingar.
Ms O'Doherty told councillors that "a culture of corruption is, unfortunately, thriving within the state", which is "breeding an awful lot of cynicism among the public towards the political elite and towards other institutions of the state".
"I believe the presidency could reflect the sort of standards that society is aspiring to. That citizens would feel that the presidency is something we should look up to and set the standards for the sort of democracy that we want to live in where all citizens are treated equally where citizens have a right to affordable housing, to decent healthcare..."
Cllr Michael O'Brien asked if she would achieve more by running for election to Leinster House, but she ruled that out saying that the Dáil “is not serving the citizens of the country fairly or equally".
"I do believe that the boundaries of the presidency have not been pushed out by other presidents. I think there is absolutely no reason why the president cannot speak out about issues..."
Businessman Gavin Duffy said that he believed that the president's power existed outside the realm of party politics.
“The President is above the cut-and-thrust of party politics and cannot affect political change, but she or he has the soft power to motivate and inspire debate and dialogue or to channel attention and discussion on important issues that are, ultimately, resolved through politics. I will do that by believing in people and encouraging a ‘can do’ attitude – something, as I said, that has been the main focus of my life.”
He also revealed that if he gains the four local authority nominations required to run in the election he and his wife have made plans to "mortgage" their home to fund his campaign.
The first two prospective presidential candidates to address the meeting were former civil servant Marie Goretti Moylan from Athlone and Roscommon farmer John Groarke.
Ms Moylan said that if he elected presidency, she would prioritise the promotion of the arts and would like to play a role in the peace process in Northern Ireland if needed.
Referring to her visual impairment, she also said that she would like to show "that people with disabilities can do just as much as people without disabilities".
Mr Groarke described himself as an "ordinary person”. Previous presidents have been "educated people" and while they all did “fine jobs", they have "nothing in common with the poor", he said.
The members of Westmeath County Council will have to wait until the ministerial order for the presidential election is made before deciding whether or not to nominate a candidate.