Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
THE LAST REMAINING councils which are yet to nominate a candidate for the presidency are due to meet today.
With the closing date for nominations 26 September, and with just a handful of councils left, its likely there will be no more presidential hopefuls added to the ticket.
Sligo, Kildare and Cork County Councils are due to meet today, with Donegal, Louth and Laois County Councils expected to hold meetings also.
So far, there are five candidates in the race, other than the incumbent Michael D Higgins.
Businessman Sean Gallagher received nominations early on from Roscommon, Leitrim, Mayo, Wexford councils.
Senator Joan Freeman has also received the four nominations needed to be a candidate, getting the support from Cork City, Galway County, Fingal, Galway City councils.
Businessman Gavin Duffy secured support from Meath, Carlow, Wicklow, Waterford councils, while businessman Peter Casey got the nod from Kerry, Clare, Limerick, Tipperary councils.
Sinn Féin chose MEP Liadh Ní Riada as its candidate last weekend.
Under the rules, in order for a candidate to get on the ballot they must secure the backing of at least four councils. With just six in the mix, it is widely expected no one else will secure the numbers needed.
Councils are only allowed nominate one candidate, however, a number of councils such as Dublin City Council and South Dublin County Council have voted in favour of not selecting a candidate.
Presidential spending
Though the presidential election is still a few weeks out, the spotlight will be on the Office of the President this week as the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee presses ahead with its hearing tomorrow into the spending of the president.
Despite a warning from the Secretary General of the Department of An Taoiseach Martin Fraser that such a move to scrutinise the expenditure of the president could be seen as a breach of the Constitution, the committee voted earlier this week to proceed with the meeting.
A number of politicians voiced their concerns about the timing of doing so, with Fianna Fáil’s Micheál Martin calling on the committee to desist. However, the chairperson of the PAC, Sean Fleming said the committee has never allowed an election, of any kind, to determine the work of the committee and the remains the case.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Respect!
To defend an outpost with 150 men and no walls against thousands of armed attackers and have no fatalities….must be one of the greatest battles of the century, if not longer!
Wonderful idea….they deserve it and more.
The Defense Forces of today should count themselves lucky that they won’t have to go through what them poor lads did,in the Congo .
The Irish Defence forces are serving in quite a few unstable regions as we speak, the Golan Heights alongside the current Syrian civil war comes to mind, all it takes is for a loose cannon rebel commander to decide to engage them or capture them and then they’ll be caught up in a siege of their own.
@Mr KnowitAll: Your comment is pure ignorance.
@mrknowitall you obviously don’t have a clue of what our troops deal with day to day overseas….
Christ you haven’t got a clue MrKnowItAll , there is about 130 troops in the Golan Heights on the border between Syria and Israel right now http://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/heroic-irish-troops-rescue-filipino-4131748
@Martin Fahy: Still better than the Congo.
I read it as him referring to the fact these men were abandoned in their hour of need by their command at home and treated like traitors after their return. Which the defence forces don’t have to deal with today (as far as I know). . . . But I tend to give people the benefit of the doubt, he probably is just being a dick.
Mr knowitall you’re a clown rest assured today’s men and women will perform if needed. Same sorof thing said about Brit Army since 45 but performed OK in Korea, Malaya, Cyprus, Adenn, Yeen, Falklabnds. Afghanistan etc.
The Irish Defence Forces are respected by other professional armies. As Paul said its a big world wide military family who slag each. Other without mercy.
Respect to the survivors. If possible I intend to be at Collins.
Mr know it all if Liam has it right my apologies.
Hardy men there
FFS they all have free travel !!!!!
@Celtic Druid: Hi there – this trip is allowing all of their families to travel with them so that they have all the support they need for what will no doubt be an emotional journey. So, yes, the survivors are likely in receipt of a travel pass because of their age but they mostly need help and it’s to make this a big occasion for them by having everyone they love there.
Every time I read this story I become more and more amazed that there were no fatalities. A true credit to the men who were involved.
Saw The Siege of Jadotville on Netflix last night and was on the edge of my seat throughout the movie.
What amazing men to hold their position with no support or backup.
The only cowards are the Irish Government and the UN.
Very pleased these men will finally receive the recognition for their heroic actions on October 22!!!!
Respect to these brave men.our soldiers should not be in the Golan heights belonging to Syria but taken by Israel,who in turn gave US oil companies permission to drill for oil,and that’s what it’s all about,resources and greed.government pull our troops.
To The Heroes of the Irish A-Company
You Are the true spirit of Good men, gentlemen, Courage and true fellowship.
I would gladly Walk In to a fire With Any One of you brave men.
You Can ALWAYS Walk Proud.
Becous you were commandet by poor LEADERSHIP and came Home as Brothers.
To Your family, friends and me
you Will Always Be true heros.
Former FireFighter from Denmark
With love.❤️
Tonni
have your say