Presidential hopefuls struggling to win county council support are set to be thrown a contest lifeline after 17 Independent TDs and senators said they will nominate an agreed candidate - and six said they may follow suit in the coming days. Amid concern last month the presidential contest could be limited to a small number of established candidates, Mr Fitzmaurice called for Independent TDs and senators to explain if they want to nominate a non-party choice by Friday at 5pm. In order to do so, at least 20 of the 23 Independent TDs and 14 Independent senators would have to give their support to a candidate. During this meeting, TDs and senators will be asked to vote using the proportional representation system for their favoured candidate, at which point an agreed contender is likely to emerge. The support of Independent TDs and senators could be a crucial, and until recently, unexpected lifeline for the less favoured candidates to enter the presidential race, in part because of Independent senator Padraig O Ceidigh's decision this week not to contest the presidency.

Source: Evening echo September 07, 2018 18:33 UTC