{"id":82883,"date":"2025-09-24T14:18:13","date_gmt":"2025-09-24T14:18:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/82883\/"},"modified":"2025-09-24T14:18:13","modified_gmt":"2025-09-24T14:18:13","slug":"maria-steen-criticises-oppressive-political-consensus-after-failing-to-secure-nomination-the-irish-times-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/82883\/","title":{"rendered":"Maria Steen criticises \u2018oppressive\u2019 political consensus after failing to secure nomination \u2013 The Irish Times"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"c-paragraph free \"><b>Main Points<\/b><\/p>\n<ul class=\"c-unordered-list \">\n<li class=\"c-list-item \">Maria Steen secured 18 nominations from members of the Oireachtas, two short of the 20 required, meaning she cannot <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irishtimes.com\/politics\/2025\/09\/24\/maria-steen-now-just-two-nominations-from-being-able-to-contest-presidential-election\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.irishtimes.com\/politics\/2025\/09\/24\/maria-steen-now-just-two-nominations-from-being-able-to-contest-presidential-election\/\">contest the presidential election<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-list-item \">Senator Aubrey McCarthy gave his support to Steen on Wednesday morning, but she failed to convince others.<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-list-item \">Nominations to enter the presidential race closed at noon.<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-list-item \">It is understood that each TD and Senator who might have been willing to nominate Ms Steen received hundreds of emails and dozens of personal calls from her supporters.<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-list-item \">Who exactly is Maria Steen? Here is a profile of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irishtimes.com\/politics\/2025\/09\/23\/maria-steen-profile-campaign-for-aras-attempts-to-paint-her-as-challenger-of-status-quo\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.irishtimes.com\/politics\/2025\/09\/23\/maria-steen-profile-campaign-for-aras-attempts-to-paint-her-as-challenger-of-status-quo\/\">Iona Institute barrister<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-list-item \">Profiles: Meet <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irishtimes.com\/politics\/2025\/09\/12\/presidential-election-meet-the-three-hopefuls-who-will-be-on-the-ballot-paper-next-month\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.irishtimes.com\/politics\/2025\/09\/12\/presidential-election-meet-the-three-hopefuls-who-will-be-on-the-ballot-paper-next-month\/\">the three candidates<\/a> who will be on the ballot next month.<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-list-item \">Independent candidate Catherine Connolly has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irishtimes.com\/politics\/2025\/09\/24\/catherine-connollys-aras-campaign-stalls-on-thorny-question-of-hamas\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.irishtimes.com\/politics\/2025\/09\/24\/catherine-connollys-aras-campaign-stalls-on-thorny-question-of-hamas\/\">clarified her views on Hamas<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-list-item \">Fianna F\u00e1il\u2019s candidate Jim Gavin has said that online claims about him are \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.irishtimes.com\/politics\/2025\/09\/23\/presidential-candidate-jim-gavin-says-online-claims-about-him-are-obvious-lies\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.irishtimes.com\/politics\/2025\/09\/23\/presidential-candidate-jim-gavin-says-online-claims-about-him-are-obvious-lies\/\">obviously lies<\/a>\u201d.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u00d3rla  Ryan &#8211; 5 minutes ago<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" alt=\"Fine Gael's presidential candidate Heather Humphreys got help from the party's director of elections, Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon, putting up posters in Dublin on Wednesday. Photograph: Alan Betson\/The Irish Times\" class=\"c-image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/2XQG4HY76JHTDC5QCLBMM7AY2M.JPG\"   width=\"800\" height=\"529\"\/>Fine Gael&#8217;s presidential candidate Heather Humphreys got help from the party&#8217;s director of elections, Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon, putting up posters in Dublin on Wednesday. Photograph: Alan Betson\/The Irish Times <img decoding=\"async\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" alt=\"Heather Humphreys was canvassing in Dublin on Wednesday. Photograph: Alan Betson\/The Irish Times&#10;&#10;\" class=\"c-image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IBCP4NFGXJF2TATR4OKJ5QJLXE.JPG\"   width=\"800\" height=\"533\"\/>Heather Humphreys was canvassing in Dublin on Wednesday. Photograph: Alan Betson\/The Irish Times<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Fine Gael\u2019s presidential candidate Heather Humphreys was canvassing alongside the party\u2019s director of elections, Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon, in Dublin on Wednesday. <\/p>\n<p>\u00d3rla  Ryan &#8211; 16 minutes ago<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">At her press conference, Ms Connolly also rejected a narrative that the presidential election campaign \u2013 with just three candidates in the field \u2013 will be dull. <\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">\u201cI don\u2019t know that narrative,\u201d she said, adding that she spent Tuesday evening canvassing in Clondalkin and Lucan \u201cdidn\u2019t see a sign of dullness in that campaign\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">She spoke of going to an equine centre for children and taking questions \u201cfrom people of all ages\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Ms Connolly suggested that journalists could join her at such campaign stops \u201cand see the questions that are being asked and the level of intensity of the engagement and how this election matters to the people of Ireland\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">She added: \u201cIt really matters to them who is going in and fulfilling that role of president of this beautiful country.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">As the only sitting TD in the race, Ms Connolly will have to divide her time between Leinster House and the campaign trail and she conceded that she will miss some D\u00e1il sitting days. <\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">She said it has been \u201ca challenge\u201d since the D\u00e1il returned last week but she was in the chamber today raising issues about Children\u2019s Health Ireland and she will be attending the Public Accounts Committee on Thursday where TDs are expected to quiz the Oireachtas authorities on conditions for workers responsible for broadcasting proceedings in Leinster House. <\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">The Galway West TD said she will \u201ctry to be in the D\u00e1il for important issues\u201d, adding: \u201cI will do my best but obviously I will be giving all my time to the presidential campaign.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00d3rla  Ryan &#8211; 19 minutes ago<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Independent presidential candidate Catherine Connolly says she does not see herself serving a second term in \u00c1ras an Uachtar\u00e1in should she win the election: \u201cI will give my all for seven years, hopefully will then do something else in my life as I have done previously.\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/H5BEmVmllT\" rel=\"nofollow\">pic.twitter.com\/H5BEmVmllT<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Cormac McQuinn (@CormacMcQuinn) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/CormacMcQuinn\/status\/1970849561100136732?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">September 24, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free b-it-article-body__text--left\">Independent presidential candidate Catherine Connolly has said she does not see herself serving a second term in \u00c1ras an Uachtar\u00e1in should she win next month\u2019s election, <b>Cormac McQuinn<\/b> reports.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Ms Connolly said that serving a single term is what she hopes to do \u201cat this point\u201d, adding that she hadn\u2019t thought about it but has been \u201cforced to look at that\u201d in response to queries from journalists.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">\u201cThe best answer I can give is I will give my all for seven years, hopefully will then do something else in my life as I have done previously.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">She was speaking at a press conference after she received a letter to the Government from the Veterans for Peace group urging the Coalition not to scrap the triple lock on deploying significant numbers of Defence Forces personnel overseas. <\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Ms Connolly is opposed to dropping the triple lock, arguing it would impact on Ireland\u2019s neutrality. <\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">The Government contends that its proposed legislation to get rid of the triple lock would remove the effective veto of permanent members of the UN Security Council, like Russia and China, on Ireland deploying more than 12 troops on missions abroad.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Ms Connolly read from the letter, saying it outlines that \u201cthe triple lock is the safeguard that ensures our Defence Forces are not deployed without rigorous checks and balances\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>\u00d3rla  Ryan &#8211; 39 minutes ago<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Maria will not be on the ballot.<\/p>\n<p>Its a testament to the woman that she did so well.<\/p>\n<p>FF\/FG &amp; some of their &#8216;Independents&#8217; pulled the ladder up to prevent citizens having a say.<\/p>\n<p>Thanks to all the TDs\/Senators who helped.<\/p>\n<p>We will try better &amp; we will win. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/s635mjlb2U\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/t.co\/s635mjlb2U<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/mqraAArXaJ\" rel=\"nofollow\">pic.twitter.com\/mqraAArXaJ<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn TD (@Toibin1) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Toibin1\/status\/1970810179030843525?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">September 24, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free b-it-article-body__text--left\">Aont\u00fa leader Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn, who led efforts to get Oireachtas nominations for Maria Steen, has criticised Fianna F\u00e1il, Fine Gael and certain Independents who \u201cpuled the ladder up\u201d and failed to back Ms Steen.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Fine Gael councillors had been instructed to oppose the nomination of Independent candidates, though some broke ranks.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Earlier this month, Fianna F\u00e1il decided to not give a similar order to its councillors. Taoiseach Miche\u00e1l Martin said he trusted FF councillors to support the party\u2019s presidential candidate, Jim Gavin.<\/p>\n<p>\u00d3rla  Ryan &#8211; 54 minutes ago<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">On the campaign trail bright and early this morning with Presidential candidate Jim Gavin <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/gavinforthearas?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">@gavinforthearas<\/a> &amp; local TD for Meath West Aisling Dempsey. Great support for Jim in Navan recognising his leadership in so many roles \ud83d\uddf3\ufe0f <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/jijdScbLtn\" rel=\"nofollow\">pic.twitter.com\/jijdScbLtn<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Jack Chambers TD (@jackfchambers) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/jackfchambers\/status\/1970838781684290007?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">September 24, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free b-it-article-body__text--left\">Jack Chambers, Minister for Public Expenditure and Fianna F\u00e1il\u2019s director of elections, is on the campaign trail with Jim Gavin in Meath today.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free b-it-article-body__text--left\">Independent presidential candidate Catherine Connolly raised the issue of the external review of spinal care at Temple Street Children\u2019s Hospital in the D\u00e1il today, <b>Marie O\u2019Halloran<\/b> reports.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">She said the review began in September 2023 and almost two years later was \u201cstill at phase one\u201d as she called for a date for the delivery of the report.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Ms Connolly is the only TD among the three confirmed presidential candidates, including former minister Heather Humphreys and former Dublin Gaelic football manager Jim Gavin, after the noon deadline for nominations.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Ms Connolly also spoke in the D\u00e1il last week and attended the Public Accounts Committee.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">The Galway West TD said in the D\u00e1il on Wednesday that the Temple Street spinal care review is the fourth into the children\u2019s hospital, \u201cnot to mention all the internal reports\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">\u201cPeople are asking for an independent inquiry, and we know what that leads to with inquiries.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Minister for Justice Jim O\u2019Callaghan, taking leaders\u2019 questions, said he did not have the information and would ask Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, but he understood she had not yet received it.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free b-it-article-body__text--left\">He added that the minister\u2019s intention to integrate the CHI <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irishtimes.com\/health\/2025\/09\/24\/childrens-health-ireland-to-be-folded-into-health-service-executive\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.irishtimes.com\/health\/2025\/09\/24\/childrens-health-ireland-to-be-folded-into-health-service-executive\/\">into the HSE<\/a> \u201cis a positive development\u201d.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" alt=\"Mary Robinson pictured at her inauguration in December 1990. Photograph: Matt Kavanagh\" class=\"c-image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/KVL62DEC2425K2HXW7TYWDB4ZU.jpg\"   width=\"800\" height=\"450\"\/>Mary Robinson pictured at her inauguration in December 1990. Photograph: Matt Kavanagh <\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">The last time there were only three candidates in an Irish presidential election was back in 1990.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">The eventual winner, Mary Robinson, ran for Labour and became Ireland\u2019s first female president.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">She was up against Fianna F\u00e1il\u2019s Brian Lenihan Sr and Fine Gael\u2019s Austin Currie.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free b-it-article-body__text--left\">In the wake of Ms Steen\u2019s failed bid to get on the ticket, Independent Ireland is now calling for a referendum to change the nomination process for presidential elections, <b>Ellen Coyne<\/b> reports.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">The party, which announced its backing of Ms Steen\u2019s bid on Tuesday, said it will bring forward a bill which would effectively make it easier to get on the ticket. <\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Independent Ireland said that this year\u2019s presidential election had highlighted \u201can affront to democracy that can no longer be ignored.\u201d It has started drafting a bill which it said it would seek to bring forward \u201cas soon as the legislative process allows\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">\u201cThe current system is convoluted and places far too much power in the hands of too few people,\u201d Michael Collins, the party leader, said. <\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">\u201cWhile we recognise that not everybody who thinks they can be president should automatically appear on the ballot, the barriers are now set so high that Fianna F\u00e1il and Fine Gael can effectively issue diktats, stifle democracy, and deny the people their right to decide. We also need to return power to our democratically elected councillors in this process.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Independent Ireland is proposing that, in future, a candidate who needed 20 signatures to run would also be able to rely on the support of members of the European Parliament, rather than just from members of the D\u00e1il and the Seanad. <\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">It also wants to lower the threshold a candidate would have to reach in order to run with the support of councils. At the moment, prospective candidates need the support of four councils. Independent Ireland wants a candidate who secures the support of 80 individual councillors to be able to run. <\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Under this system, Maria Steen likely would have succeeded in being able to run in this year\u2019s presidential election. Over 70 councillors this week signed a letter to independent members of the Oireachtas, calling on them to nominate Ms Steen. <\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">\u201cThis is about trust in our democracy,\u201d Mr Collins. \u201cThe people of Ireland deserve the right to choose from a genuinely open field of candidates, not one curated and controlled by the establishment. That is why we are seeking this referendum.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Also at her press conference, Ms Steen thanked councillors who voted for her during her efforts to secure a nomination through the local authority route. <\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">\u201cI\u2019m also grateful to the 18 parliamentarians, true democrats all, who gave me their signatures, some of whom because they wanted to support me and vote for me in the election, and some of whom simply because they believed in democracy and that the verdict on my candidacy should be rendered not by an elite clique but by the people.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Ms Steen added: \u201cMy effort to make the ballot has not been successful but I do not feel like I\u2019ve lost. I have the privilege of returning to life at home with a wonderful family.\u201c<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">She thanked her husband Neil and her five children \u201cfor their patience and unwavering love\u201d as well as her parents.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Ms Steen also acknowledged other independent presidential hopefuls that made unsuccessful bids to enter the race. <\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">\u201cOther candidates like Nick Delehanty and Gareth Sheridan had their own perspectives to offer and worked diligently through a very challenging process.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">She added: \u201cIt has been a privilege to have won the confidence and support of so many people around the country over the past few weeks. And while it would have been the honour of my lifetime to serve as first citizen of Ireland, being a citizen is honour enough for me.\u201c<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Ms Steen did not take any questions from the media.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">When asked if she accepted she should have started the process of seeking nominations earlier, she replied: \u201cOur daughter turns four today. I\u2019m going to go home and celebrate now with my family.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free b-it-article-body__text--left\">Speaking about the fact there will only be three candidates in the presidential race, would-be candidate Gareth Sheridan said the \u201clack of choice on the ballot is going to lead to a lack of representation\u201d and \u201ca democratic deficit\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">In a statement on Wednesday, he said the process is \u201cnot befitting the office of the presidency which in turn undermines our democracy and the authority of the presidency itself, no matter who prevails\u201d. <\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">\u201cThe damage is done. There will be an underwhelmingly low turnout,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Conservative campaigner Maria Steen bows out of the presidential election race after failing to secure 20 Oireachtas nominations to get on the ballot paper <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/mnuiqqGthO\" rel=\"nofollow\">pic.twitter.com\/mnuiqqGthO<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Cormac McQuinn (@CormacMcQuinn) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/CormacMcQuinn\/status\/1970809667820621846?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">September 24, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free b-it-article-body__text--left\">Ms Steen conceded she had fallen short in securing enough support from TDs and Senators to enter the presidential election race during a brief press conference outside Leinster House, <b>Cormac McQuinn<\/b> reports.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Ms Steen said: \u201cSince announcing my intention to seek a nomination to run in the presidential election, I have been humbled by the outpouring of support for my campaign.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">\u201cWhile I\u2019m honoured to have received 90 per cent of the signatures required from members of the Oireachtas, I regret to say that it\u2019s not enough and that time has now run out.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">She added: \u201cI entered this race with a hope of giving voters a real choice. <\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">\u201cThe response from the public in recent days confirms the hunger that there is for an alternative candidate.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">\u201cSadly that hunger will now go unsatisfied.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Ms Steen argued: \u201cRarely has the political consensus seemed more oppressive or detached from the wishes and desires of the public.\u201d <\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Conservative campaigner Maria Steen has fallen short in her bid to secure enough nominations to enter the presidential election.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">She got 18 of the required 20 Oireachtas nominations, ahead of the noon deadline.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free b-it-article-body__text--left\">Senator R\u00f3n\u00e1n Mullen &#8211; one of the 18 politicians who nominated Ms Steen &#8211; has suggested her bid to enter the presidential election is over, <b>Harry McGee<\/b> reports.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Mr Mullen predicted: \u201cShe won\u2019t be on the ballot.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Another source in Steen\u2019s camp also said it is looking ominous.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">\u201cIronically, I think Maria not being in the race is bad for [Catherine] Connolly. She would have taken votes from government candidates and given a big bunch of anti-establishment transfers to Connolly,\u201d the source said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Peader T\u00f3ib\u00edn plans to submit a complaint to Meath County Council following its decision not to nominate a candidate for the Presidency.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free b-it-article-body__text--left\">The Meath West Deputy told LMFM there was \u201ca lot of confusion and chaos\u201d at the meeting, <b>Vivienne Clarke <\/b>reports.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">The Aont\u00fa leader claims the voting process was unclear, resulting in Aont\u00fa councillor David Boyne abstaining from the vote.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">\u201cThere was a lot of confusion and chaos at that meeting. The meeting actually had to be stopped because councillors didn\u2019t know what was happening at the time,\u201d Mr T\u00f3ibin said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">\u201cDavid voted so that there would be a vote first and foremost. He was operating remotely and his connection with Meath County Council dropped and, as a result, he came in at a stage where he abstained because he wasn\u2019t sure exactly what was happening.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free b-it-article-body__text--left\">Another update from <b>Cormac McQuinn<\/b>: Maria Steen was hoping to lodge her presidential election nomination papers at the Custom House at 11am.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">However, as of now, there has been no update from her camp as to whether she has secured the 20 Oireachtas nominations required to enter the presidential election.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free b-it-article-body__text--left\">Ms Steen is at Leinster House as last-ditch efforts to secure nominations for her to enter the presidential election race continue, <b>Cormac McQuinn<\/b> reports.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">The noon deadline is just over an hour away.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">In other political news, Taoiseach Miche\u00e1l Martin has said Europe is not \u201cgoing to hell\u201d and denied Ireland has \u201copen borders\u201d after US president Donald Trump\u2019s address at the UN General Assembly.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">During his speech, Mr Trump accused leaders, particularly in Europe, of \u201cdestroying\u201d their countries by allowing \u201cuncontrolled\u201d immigration, saying: \u201cYour countries are going to hell.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free b-it-article-body__text--left\">Speaking to reporters in New York City afterwards, Mr Martin said there was \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.irishtimes.com\/politics\/2025\/09\/23\/europe-not-going-to-hell-says-taoiseach-following-trump-address-to-un-general-assembly\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.irishtimes.com\/politics\/2025\/09\/23\/europe-not-going-to-hell-says-taoiseach-following-trump-address-to-un-general-assembly\/\" target=\"_blank\">nothing surprising<\/a>\u201d in the US president\u2019s address, <b>Keith Duggan<\/b> and <b>Jack White<\/b> report.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">While Europe has \u201cchallenges like everybody else\u201d, Mr Martin described it as a \u201cbastion of good-quality living\u201d and one of the most lucrative single markets in the world.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">\u201cSo, I wouldn\u2019t necessarily agree with that perspective that Europe is going to hell. It\u2019s not,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free b-it-article-body__text--left\">Catherine Connolly has responded to Mr T\u00f3ib\u00edn\u2019s remarks that he asked her to nominate Ms Steen, <b>Cormac McQuinn<\/b> reports.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">A spokesman for Ms Connolly said she \u201csigned her own nomination papers yesterday and is therefore not in a position to nominate any other candidates\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free b-it-article-body__text--left\">Mr T\u00f3ib\u00edn has said there is a \u201cgroundswell of support\u201d for Ms Steen,<b> Vivienne Clarke<\/b> reports.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">\u201cI know that there are thousands of people phoning up TDs and Senators\u2019 offices and sending emails at the moment. And people just want the chance to pick the President. And that\u2019s my message to TDs in Senators in this eleventh hour, let the people pick the president,\u201d he told Today with Claire Byrne.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">\u201cThere\u2019s a long history of democrats standing up, giving their name and their signature for a nomination just to allow a democratic election. And the problem is, I think, that in this election there\u2019s definitely a democratic deficit. It\u2019s the narrowest field for a generation.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">\u201cI really worry that we\u2019re going to have hundreds of thousands of people who are not going to engage in this campaign, who are not going to vote in this election, because they feel that their voice is not represented in this campaign.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Mr Toibin denied that the situation for Ms Steen was hopeless, saying: \u201cI wouldn\u2019t be involved in politics unless I believe in what\u2019s possible.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">\u201cIf Maria got onto the ballot there would be a significant chance that hundreds of thousands of more people would actually vote on that given day &#8230; It could possibly mean that there would be a bigger pool of transfers open to individual candidates in that scenario. It could actually be beneficial for some of the incumbents in relation to that.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">\u00c1ontu leader Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn has said it is still \u201cpossible\u201d that Maria Steen will achieve 20 nominations before noon (she currently has 18).<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Speaking on RT\u00c9\u2019s Today with Claire Byrne, he said he had asked Catherine Connolly to sign a nomination form for Ms Steen to ensure there was not a \u201cdemocratic deficit\u201d, if there were only three candidates.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">However, he said he did not receive a response from Ms Connolly.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Ms Steen has just over an hour to secure the extra two nominations she needs.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">During the same interview on LMFM, Mr Gavin said, if elected, he would not be partisan.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">\u201cThe president\u2019s the first citizen of the country, not the first politician.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">\u201cI\u2019ll speak out on issues that I believe speak to the heart of the Irish nation without fear or favour.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">\u201cThe presidency isn\u2019t about promoting one\u2019s ideology, promoting one party, promoting oneself, it\u2019s about promoting what\u2019s great in Ireland.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Mr Gavin admitted he had \u201clost\u201d his use of the Irish language, but said he intended to learn to speak Irish again whether or not he became president.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" alt=\"Posters for Jim Gavin, Fianna F&#xE1;il's candidate, have started to appear in Dublin. Photograph: Dara Mac D&#xF3;naill\/The Irish Times&#10;&#10;&#10;&#10;&#10;&#10;&#10;&#10;&#10;&#10;&#10;&#10;\" class=\"c-image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1758723490_59_RTJIWW4BWZD3PIWGLTNADFO72M.jpg\"   width=\"800\" height=\"533\"\/>Posters for Jim Gavin, Fianna F\u00e1il&#8217;s candidate, have started to appear in Dublin. Photograph: Dara Mac D\u00f3naill\/The Irish Times<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free b-it-article-body__text--left\">Fianna F\u00e1il\u2019s presidential candidate Jim Gavin has said he received word from social media company TikTok this morning that it will take action on the misinformation and abuse he has received on the platform, <b>Vivienne Clarke <\/b>reports.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">\u201cIt\u2019s not only misinformation, it\u2019s lies,\u201d he told LMFM\u2019s The Agenda programme.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">\u201cI\u2019m very focused on what I need to do (in the campaign) and it certainly won\u2019t distract me but when family, when friends, were brought into it I had to say \u2018stop\u2019.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">\u201cThis needs to be called out for what it is &#8211; it\u2019s just simply not good enough, it is not acceptable, it cannot be normalised that somebody can go online, whoever they are, and tell lies and abuse people online.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">\u201cIt just is not acceptable and it\u2019s not good for my mental health.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Mr Gavin added that Coimisi\u00fan na Me\u00e1n has \u201cbeen given relatively new powers in terms of dealing with abuse and misinformation and lies online, and they need to take that action\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">\u201cMeta had moved on it last week and I got information this morning that TikTok are moving on it which demonstrates that they also believe that there are lies, misinformation and abuse. <\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">\u201cBut it\u2019s not about me, it\u2019s about the wider context of this in our society. It\u2019s just not right.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free b-it-article-body__text--left\">With two hours to go before the deadline, TDs and Senators supporting Maria Steen have been trying to contact Independent TDs and Senators this morning without success, <b>Harry McGee<\/b> reports.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">None are answering their phones, according to sources. <\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Efforts are focused on four Independent TDs: Michael Lowry, Noel Grealish, Sean Canney and Kevin Boxer Moran. <\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">It is understood that each TD and Senator who might be willing to nominate Ms Steen has received hundreds of emails and dozens of personal calls from her supporters.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Aont\u00fa leader Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn, who has been spearheading efforts to get Oireachtas nominations for Maria Steen, posted on X: \u201c2 hours left for nominations for the presidential election. Just 2 more signatures are needed.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">He called on TDs and Senators who have not yet made up their minds to back Steen.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">\u201cLet the people pick the president.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free b-it-article-body__text--left\">Dissecting the last 24 hours, <b>Miriam Lord <\/b>writes that Maria Steen, opponent of marriage equality and abortion, is being \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.irishtimes.com\/politics\/oireachtas\/2025\/09\/24\/maria-steen-opponent-of-marriage-equality-and-abortion-championed-as-a-symbol-of-choice\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.irishtimes.com\/politics\/oireachtas\/2025\/09\/24\/maria-steen-opponent-of-marriage-equality-and-abortion-championed-as-a-symbol-of-choice\/\">championed as a symbol of choice<\/a>\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">When Independent Ireland announced it was backing Ms Steen\u2019s nomination on Tuesday, the group said the people of Ireland deserved \u201cthe right to choose\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Lord writes: \u201cThe fab four appealed to other Independent TDs and Senators to \u201cfacilitate democracy\u201d and get Maria over the line.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">\u201cAnd they finished with a stupendously ironic last line, declaring she \u201cdeserves the opportunity to present her case and the people of Ireland deserve the right to choose\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">\u201cNot to be confused with a woman\u2019s right to choose, an opportunity which Maria Steen refused to countenance during the referendum on abortion, which was carried by a landslide vote.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Ahead of nominations closing at midday, election posters have already started to appear on lampposts in Dublin.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" alt=\"Poster for Heather Humphreys, Fine Gael's candidate. Photograph: Dara Mac D&#xF3;naill\/The Irish Times&#10;&#10;&#10;&#10;&#10;&#10;&#10;&#10;&#10;&#10;&#10;&#10;\" class=\"c-image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1758723490_938_YC6JXIIUH5EY7NWOCQWXUSPJ34.jpg\"   width=\"800\" height=\"533\"\/>Poster for Heather Humphreys, Fine Gael&#8217;s candidate. Photograph: Dara Mac D\u00f3naill\/The Irish Times<\/p>\n<p> <img decoding=\"async\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" alt=\"Election posters in Stoneybatter, Dublin 7. Photographs: Dan Dennison\" class=\"c-image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1758723491_468_BHK6TGBHQFALRIZIRGTDVRNBHA.jpeg\"   width=\"800\" height=\"601\"\/>Election poster for Independent Catherine Connolly in Stoneybatter, Dublin 7. Photograph: Dan Dennison <img decoding=\"async\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" alt=\"Poster for Jim Gavin, the Fianna F&#xE1;il presidential candidate. Photograph: Bryan O&#x2019;Brien\/The Irish Times \" class=\"c-image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1758723491_124_G3EEWIZCXRAHXBZX3TPU2LTLWE.JPG\"   width=\"800\" height=\"556\"\/>Poster for Jim Gavin, the Fianna F\u00e1il presidential candidate. Photograph: Bryan O\u2019Brien\/The Irish Times  <\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">The presidential election is due to take place on Friday, October 24th.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">The deadline to register to vote is Tuesday, October 7th. The deadline for special or postal voting arrangements is next Monday, September 29th.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free b-it-article-body__text--left\">To register, or check your details are up to date, visit <a href=\"https:\/\/www.checktheregister.ie\/en-IE\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.checktheregister.ie\/en-IE\/\">checktheregister.ie<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">The chief executive of the Electoral Commission, Art O\u2019Leary, has acknowledged that plans to coordinate a single electoral database \u201care almost there\u201d but will not be in place for the forthcoming presidential election.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free b-it-article-body__text--left\">Research on other forms of voting such as postal voting is ongoing, he told RT\u00c9 radio\u2019s Morning Ireland, <b>Vivienne Clarke <\/b>reports.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">At present there are 31 separate electoral databases, he said. This can lead to duplication. <\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">\u201cWe actually have 31 separate registers each run by local authorities and right now they don\u2019t speak to each other. <\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">\u201cSo, there\u2019s a brilliant project underway with the Department of Housing and the local authorities to create this single database using PPS numbers and dates of birth and eircodes where we\u2019ll be able to spot duplicates as they pop up and remove them which is the current difficulty.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Mr O\u2019Leary said the electoral databases could be out by \u201chundreds of thousands\u201d.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" alt=\"Catherine Connolly pictured at the Custom House in Dublin on Tuesday. Photograph: Stephen Collins\/Collins Photos&#10;\" class=\"c-image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1758723492_889_RXCFQE27CEQGZS4WYGUA5ACBUA.JPG\"   width=\"800\" height=\"533\"\/>Catherine Connolly pictured at the Custom House in Dublin on Tuesday. Photograph: Stephen Collins\/Collins Photos<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Independent candidate Catherine Connolly clarified her views on Hamas on Tuesday.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free b-it-article-body__text--left\">Connolly gave <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irishtimes.com\/politics\/2025\/09\/22\/catherine-connolly-disagrees-with-starmer-on-hamas-having-no-role-in-palestinian-state\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.irishtimes.com\/politics\/2025\/09\/22\/catherine-connolly-disagrees-with-starmer-on-hamas-having-no-role-in-palestinian-state\/\" target=\"_blank\">an interview to BBC Northern Ireland\u2019s Talkback programme on Monday<\/a> in which she said Hamas was \u201cpart of the fabric of Palestinian life\u201d. She criticised British prime minister <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irishtimes.com\/tags\/keir-starmer\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.irishtimes.com\/tags\/keir-starmer\/\" target=\"_blank\">Keir Starmer\u2019s<\/a> assertion that Hamas could not be part of the government of a future Palestinian state. It was, she said, up to the Palestinians to pick who governs them.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">She stood by her remarks on Morning Ireland on Tuesday but also condemned Hamas. That interview was much-discussed in the last 24 hours. <\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free b-it-article-body__text--left\">As <b>Pat Leahy<\/b> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irishtimes.com\/politics\/2025\/09\/24\/catherine-connollys-aras-campaign-stalls-on-thorny-question-of-hamas\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.irishtimes.com\/politics\/2025\/09\/24\/catherine-connollys-aras-campaign-stalls-on-thorny-question-of-hamas\/\">writes in this analysis<\/a>: \u201cOne by one, Opposition parties traipsed out to the plinth to answer questions about their presidential candidate\u2019s attitude to Hamas. Some of them squirmed, clearly uncomfortable and perhaps beginning to wonder, \u2018Just what have we got ourselves into here?\u2019 Others doubled down, insisting they agreed with every word Connolly said.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Senator Aubrey McCarthy said he was supporting Ms Steen but not endorsing her.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Speaking about their meeting, he told RT\u00c9\u2019s Morning Ireland: \u201cWe certainly did not agree on everything.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" alt=\"Senator Aubrey McCarthy, pictured in Dublin in May, has backed Ms Steen. Photograph: Tom Honan\" class=\"c-image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1758723492_612_EI7XXE3GSVGF5G2Z22L65I2TEE.jpg\"   width=\"800\" height=\"1199\"\/>Senator Aubrey McCarthy, pictured in Dublin in May, has backed Ms Steen. Photograph: Tom Honan <\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">The founder of the charity Tiglin said: \u201cThis is my first presidential nomination process and from the outset I said that I would not hold back access to a nomination to anyone who managed to get nominations in the late teens&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">\u201cI am an independent senator myself, I was voted in on the Trinity panel, so that\u2019s why I said: no, I cannot be one to hold back somebody if they\u2019re suitable as a candidate.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free b-it-article-body__text--left\">Who exactly is Maria Steen? In <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irishtimes.com\/politics\/2025\/09\/24\/maria-steen-now-just-two-nominations-from-being-able-to-contest-presidential-election\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.irishtimes.com\/politics\/2025\/09\/24\/maria-steen-now-just-two-nominations-from-being-able-to-contest-presidential-election\/\">this profile<\/a>, <b>Ellen Coyne<\/b> writes: <\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">\u201cDuring Pantigate, Steen and her colleagues were seen by some as the last vestiges of the old Irish establishment. <\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">\u201cNow Steen is being presented by her backers as the only true anti-establishment voice in the presidential field, given her almost outr\u00e9 views on social issues. <\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free b-it-article-body__text--left\">\u201cTen years on from the marriage equality referendum, Steen\u2019s campaign seeks to frame her as a trailblazing challenger to the new orthodoxy of progressive Ireland.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free b-it-article-body__text--left\">Ms Steen generated some momentum on Tuesday <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irishtimes.com\/politics\/2025\/09\/23\/marian-harkin-willing-to-back-nomination-of-maria-steen-to-contest-presidential-election\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.irishtimes.com\/politics\/2025\/09\/23\/marian-harkin-willing-to-back-nomination-of-maria-steen-to-contest-presidential-election\/\" target=\"_blank\">when four Independent Ireland TDs and Independents Marian Harkin and Danny Healy-Rae publicly said they would support her bid<\/a> to get on the ballot, reports <b>Cormac McQuinn<\/b>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">She said last night that \u201cgood progress\u201d was made on Tuesday telling RT\u00c9 news: \u201cI was at 12 this morning, and I\u2019m now at 17 this afternoon, and I am hoping to get to 20 before the end of the evening.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">She did not reach that last night but said: \u201cI\u2019m happy to take a nomination from anybody who\u2019s willing to give it to me, and I am available to talk to everybody and meet if they would like to.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" alt=\"Presidential hopeful Maria Steen pictured with Aont&#xFA; Leader Peadar T&#xF3;ib&#xED;n outside Leinster House earlier this month. Photograph: Sam Boal\/Collins Photos \" class=\"c-image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1758723493_362_CAXTMRH7RZCS3A2QLY2NZAHE6Y.JPG\"   width=\"800\" height=\"600\"\/>Presidential hopeful Maria Steen pictured with Aont\u00fa Leader Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn outside Leinster House earlier this month. Photograph: Sam Boal\/Collins Photos  <\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free b-it-article-body__text--left\">Aont\u00fa leader Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn \u2013 who has been spearheading efforts to generate Oireachtas nominations for Ms Steen &#8211; set out the very tight timescale left for her to secure nominations last night,<b> Cormac McQuinn <\/b>reports.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Mr T\u00f3ib\u00edn said he understood Ms Steen was still talking to a number of independents \u201cand there\u2019s a possibility that one or two might come on tonight and there\u2019s rumblings that maybe some people in Fianna F\u00e1il might like to add their names to it too\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">But he also told Virgin Media\u2019s Tonight Show \u201cpeople are leaving it late in the day\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">\u201cShe has to really have those [nominations] by 10:00 tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">He added that she has an appointment to lodge nomination papers at the Custom House at 11am \u201cso people need to make up their minds\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Mr T\u00f3ib\u00edn also argued that there is a \u201cdemocratic deficit\u201d in the election currently with just three candidates formally in the race.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free b-it-article-body__text--left\">He said the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irishtimes.com\/politics\/2025\/09\/24\/steen-races-against-the-clock-to-join-aras-race\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.irishtimes.com\/politics\/2025\/09\/24\/steen-races-against-the-clock-to-join-aras-race\/\">two candidates for the Government parties<\/a> are \u201cvery similar\u201d and that Connolly is \u201ca good candidate but she appeals to a certain demographic\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">However, he added that as things stood \u201cthere\u2019s a whole section of Irish society who simply won\u2019t have their voices heard in this election and won\u2019t have a runner in the race and a bad thing for democracy.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">At present there are just three candidates officially in the presidential election race \u2013 Heather Humphreys of Fine Gael, Fianna F\u00e1il\u2019s Jim Gavin and left-wing independent TD Catherine Connolly.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Should Ms Steen fail to secure enough nominations, that would be the fewest number of candidates in a presidential election since 1990.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Conservative campaigner Maria Steen is just two nominations away from having enough support to contest the presidential election after another Senator confirmed he will facilitate her entry into the race.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Independent Senator Aubrey McCarthy confirmed on Wednesday morning that he will nominate Ms Steen.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Ms Steen now has 18 of the 20 nominations from TDs and Senators she needs to get on the ballot paper, but time is running out.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">The deadline for nominations is noon and in reality Ms Steen needs to have the 20 signatures before then in order to have time to lodge papers at the Custom House.<\/p>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Main Points Maria Steen secured 18 nominations from members of the Oireachtas, two short of the 20 required,&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":81938,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[40],"tags":[9,10,1921,18,13,14,6,555,19,17,19487,11,12,15,16,30253,5,59,7,8],"class_list":{"0":"post-82883","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-ireland","8":"tag-breaking-news","9":"tag-breakingnews","10":"tag-catherine-connolly","11":"tag-eire","12":"tag-featured-news","13":"tag-featurednews","14":"tag-headlines","15":"tag-heather-humphreys","16":"tag-ie","17":"tag-ireland","18":"tag-jim-gavin","19":"tag-latest-news","20":"tag-latestnews","21":"tag-main-news","22":"tag-mainnews","23":"tag-maria-steen","24":"tag-news","25":"tag-presidential-election","26":"tag-top-stories","27":"tag-topstories"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/82883","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=82883"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/82883\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/81938"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=82883"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=82883"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=82883"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}