Independent Ireland TDs to nominate Steen

The four Independent Ireland TDs have indicated this afternoon they will be nominating Maria Steen for the presidential election.

This follows the news that Meath East Independent TD, Gillian Toole has nominated Ms Steen, taking the conservative campaigner closer to the 20 oireachtas nominations needed for the ballot paper.

Ms Steen had already received two nominations from Meath, Aontu leader Peadar Toibin (Meath West) and Independent Senator, Sharon Keogan.

Deputy Toole said she had signed the papers to enable a variety of candidates to be on the ballot paper.

Ms Steen requires 20 signed nominations from either TDs or senators to get on the ballot paper and the deadline for the close of nominations is tomorrow.

Deputy Toole said the country is a very different place from it was seven years ago: "The people on the ballot paper should reflect the changes and that is not happening. I wanted to facilitate that. The deliberate attempt to stop councillors nominating candidates was undemocratic.

"The attempts earlier in the Dáil to curtail our speaking time has made me committed to reflect the diversity in Irish society."

Deputy Toole was critical of the system in place for councils to nominate candidates.

"There were ad hoc arrangements, different procedures, different speaking times - it was chaotic.

"An Oireachtas committee proposed reforming the process 20 years ago, but nothing happened. We should now set up a reform process."

Cllr Toole said she would be doing her homework on the candidates before she decided to how she would vote, saying she shared some of Ms Steens values but not all.

Meanwhile the four Independent Ireland TDs - Michael Collins, Ken O'Flynn, Michael Fitzmaurice and Richard O'Donoghue - announced this afternoon that they will nominate Ms Steen.

She has also secured the backing of junior ministers, Michael Healy Rae and Marian Harkin.

This leaves her with 17 signatures, just the short of what is needed.

Deputy Peadar Toibin said a number of other TDs were also considering nominating Ms Steen.

"People want a real democratic choice. I urge independent TDs and senators to stand up for democracy and let the people decide," he said.