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Mary Lou McDonald with opposition leaders Rollingnews.ie
Keeping us waiting
Sinn Féin has chosen a deadline for deciding whether it will field its own Áras candidate
So far Labour, the Social Democrats, People Before Profit and a number of Independents are backing Catherine Connolly.
SINN FÉIN IS set to decide on its approach to the Irish Presidency on 20 September.
The Sinn Féin parliamentary party (its TDs and Senators) will meet on the 8 and 9 September for a “final consultation” on the decision, with the wider consultation concluding shortly afterwards.
Speaking to The Journal today, party leader Mary Lou McDonald said the final decision will be made by the party’s Ard Chomhairle when it meets on 20 September.
It is not yet clear whether Sinn Féin will run its own candidate or support Independent Catherine Connolly.
Speaking to reporters in Dublin yesterday, Connolly said it was taking Sinn Féin a “bit longer” to set out its intentions than she would have hoped.
She said, however, that she respected their process.
To get on the ballot, a candidate must secure the nomination of 20 Oireachtas members or the backing of four local authorities.
As Sinn Féin has six senators and 39 Dáil seats, it is in a position to nominate its own candidate if it wishes.
The election for a new Irish president has to be held before 11 November.
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