Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Former MEP Avril Doyle at the 2009 Fine Gael Ard Fheis. Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland
Race for the Áras

Former MEP gauging Fine Gael support for Áras bid

Could there be another candidate for Fine Gael’s nomination?

FORMER FINE GAEL MEP Avril Doyle is reportedly considering seeking Fine Gael’s nomination for the presidential elections.

RTÉ reports that Doyle, who was an MEP for Ireland East and Leinster for ten years until 2009 and who was previously a TD for Wexford, has contacted party backbenchers to check what support she would have if she declared her intention to run.

Doyle was not available for comment this afternoon.

The Fine Gael party already has three candidates to choose from. Current MEPs Gay Mitchell and Mairead McGuinness have already declared their interest in the nomination, as has former European Parliament president Pat Cox.

The government party recently accepted Cox’s application to join the party. Cox  In a recent poll conducted by TheJournal.ie, Cox was voted the most popular of the three declared Fine Gael candidates, however he has said that he faces an uphill struggle in winning the nomination.

Confirming his intention to run earlier this month, Mitchell said that if elected president, he would promote “unity in diversity, but not a diversity that includes only the politically correct.” That unity would, he said, include “those with an Irish, Irish and British, and Irish and European identity”.

Read TheJournal.ie’s full coverage of the Race for the Áras >

Your Voice
Readers Comments
12
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.