Asked how he would respond to a formal delegation from the Fianna Fáíl national executive regarding the presidential election, the former Galway West TD responded positively.
“On the balance of probabilities – yes – I would go and talk to them about it. I know that’s a ‘politician’s answer’, but when you become a politician, you suddenly realise: there’s a good reason for a ‘politician’s answer’,” he said.
Rumours of a Conamara candidate have been swirling around media circles in recent weeks, and Ó Cuív is in the frame after Carna-native, Maire Geoghegan-Quinn, a former European Commissioner and Fianna Fáíl minister, ruled herself out of running last month.
Speaking to the Advertiser, Ó Cuív said he has been on tour recently at various functions in Belfast, Dublin, Wexford and farther afield, where he says the presidency was mentioned to him in small talk at every turn “except in Wales”.
Ó Cuív says he has not received a formal enquiry from his party’s leadership asking him to consider a tilt for the Áras. “Just lots of ordinary people. Fianna Fáil members and supporters over the last few months – all the time,” he said.
The former deputy leader of Fianna Fáil said he was unaware his name had been mentioned in media reports by unnamed Fianna Fáíl TDs, and publicly by current Galway West TD, John Connolly.
“Well it’s a compliment to be mentioned by people of such stature,” replied Ó Cuív, who insisted Fianna Fáil should run a candidate.
“If we look – say – at Catherine Connolly as a candidate of the left, as a very wide brand, and that choice should be given to the people, Fianna Fáil represents one of the major views of the world, and a certain philosophy has been traditionally represented by Fianna Fáil, so that space should be represented [at the upcoming election] by us,” he said.
Asked whether a late declaration of a candidate might hurt his party’s chances, the 75-year-old used a hurling metaphor.
“Maybe it’s like Tipperary versus Cork. The team that came out on top in the first half weren’t the team that went home with the cup.”
So far, only Galway West TD, Catherine Connolly (Ind ), and former European Commissioner and MEP, Mairead McGuinness (FG ), have formally announced their candidatures to succeed Michael D Higgins.
