Fianna Fáil MEP Billy Kelleher has announced his intention to run for president on behalf of his party.
The Ireland South MEP said he intends to appeal to centre-leaning voters, rather than “extremes” on the left and right.
“I have three children. I love this country. I’ve served in public life all my life,” he said. “I believe there’s an opportunity now to have a broad debate among ourselves as a people about the type of Ireland we want. And, you know, I’d like to bring the debate to the centre, rather than the extremes of the left and right which divides rather than unites.”
Speaking on RTÉ Radio 1 on Friday, Mr Kelleher said colleagues had approached him last April and May to ask him to consider running for president. He said that a “sizeable” number of party colleagues had then asked him to consider running this month.
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As a “courtesy”, he told Taoisach Micheál Martin on Thursday night that he intended to run. Mr Kelleher has been lobbying parliamentary party colleagues for support for his bid this week.
Asked if Mr Martin was happy he was running, Mr Kelleher said he did not think any leader could be “unhappy” with a process involving a “robust, vigorous debate”.
He said it was not just about the “coronation” of a candidate, adding that he favoured a process where candidates would be able to compete for the nomination.
Mr said he was pro-European and pro-enterprise and would like to use the presidency for “soft diplomacy”. He cited his support of Ukraine and Gaza, and his involvement in campaigning for repeal ahead of the 2018 referendum on the Eighth Amendment.
It is expected that he may be competing against former Dublin Gaelic football manager Jim Gavin. Mr Gavin, a former member of the Defence Forces, is understood to have the support of the Taoiseach.
However, Mr Gavin has yet to confirm or deny if he wants to contest the election.
Fianna Fáil is expected to start a formal process to select its candidate soon.
