Sinn Féin has not yet made a decision on whether it will put forward its own presidential candidate or support someone else, according to Mary Lou McDonald, reports Breaking News.
The Dublin TD said she’s been reflecting “on a personal level”, while also taking into account the perspectives being shared within her party.
She made the remarks while attending the Justice for Harvey protest held in Dublin, reports Breaking News.
Harvey Morrison, a nine-year-old boy who had both spina bifida and scoliosis, passed away last month.
When asked if a decision had been reached on running a candidate, Ms McDonald responded: “Well, look, we’re still in the process of deliberation. We have essentially two options. To stand a Sinn Féin candidate or to back another, and the party is still talking about that. It’s August now. In September, we’ll make that call. Well, I’ve obviously been thinking about things on a personal level, but more importantly, I’ve been leading and involved in and listening to the party conversation,” reports Breaking News.
When asked whether she personally wanted to become president, Ms McDonald replied: “I would like to be in the sunshine now walking the hills of north Portugal,” reports Breaking News.
Opposition parties who support presidential hopeful Catherine Connolly are hoping that Sinn Féin will endorse her in the upcoming race.
Asked if her party will support Ms Connolly if they rule out their candidate, Ms McDonald told reporters: “We’re looking at all options, and of course, the electorate will decide ultimately. It strikes me that outside of maybe political people and media people, when I’m out and about, this is not the lead issue on people’s minds. People are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis. That’s what I’m hearing. Kids are getting back to school. Young people are starting university and college. They’re wondering what their fees are going to be,” reports Breaking News.
“We have our process under way. We’re weighing up all of those issues for us. I will say this, the issue of Ireland’s future and Irish reunification matters in this campaign, the issue of Ireland’s place in the world as a neutral but also as a champion of the UN system of the fair and equal application of international human rights. All of that matters in this campaign. I personally think our young people, we need to have a conversation about our young people. You could look across many other scenarios where Ireland at a time of great prosperity, our young people are being failed. I think that conversation across our society is long overdue,” reports Breaking News.
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