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Fianna F\u00e1il are leaving open the possibility of fielding a candidate to run for \u00c1ras an Uachtar\u00e1in but will hold off deciding until President Michael D Higgins makes his position clear next month.<\/p>\nFianna F\u00e1il are leaving open the possibility of fielding a candidate to run for \u00c1ras an Uachtar\u00e1in but will hold off deciding until President Michael D Higgins makes his position clear next month.<\/p>\n
Party justice spokesman Jim O’Callaghan made the comments after weekend reports that the president has told government members he will seek a second term in the Park.<\/p>\n
Mr O’Callaghan said Fianna F\u00e1il would hold off making a decision about running someone or not until when Mr Higgins makes his decision public, which is expected next month.<\/p>\n
When we hear his decision as a party we will meet and discuss it. It is obviously a matter for the leadership, for the front bench, for the parliamentary party. But we will make a decision when the president makes his decision known.<\/p>\n
Asked was the party then open to the idea of having its own candidate if there was a race, Mr O’Callaghan answered:<\/p>\n
\u201cWe haven’t ruled anything in, we haven’t ruled anything out.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr O’Callagan has said previously that he thinks Mr Higgins is doing a good job and that he would like to see him serve another seven years. But he added at Leinster House this morning:<\/p>\n
\u201cI don’t think many people are putting themselves forward as of yet.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sinn F\u00e9in’s Mary Lou McDonald has also not ruled out her party running a candidate.<\/p>\n
Presidential challenger Gerard Craughwell has called on Mr Higgins to clarify his position immediately on seeking another seven-year term.<\/p>\n
During his initial presidential campaign, Michael D Higgins said he would only stay in the position for one term. However he appears to have changed his position now.<\/p>\n
A provisional voting date of October 26 has been set to coincide with two referendums on blasphemy and the woman’s place in the home.<\/p>\n