Speaking after the Sinn Féin Ard Chomhairle meeting in Dublin, Councillor Thérèse Ruane welcomed the ratification of Martin McGuinness to contest the presidential election.
“It was a privilege to attend today's Ard Chomhairle meeting and pledge my support for Martin McGuinness’s nomination to contest this election,” Cllr Ruane said. “I believe Martin is the best candidate for the job, a man of vision, integrity, a true leader. This is a time of real challenge for the Irish people and I believe that his broad vision of a new republic will resonate with many people across Ireland.
“Martin McGuinness, if elected to the office of Uachtarán na hÉireann, will draw the average industrial wage and the bulk of the €300,000 plus a year post will be donated to the Irish people. He will build on the trojan work of Mary Robinson and President Mary McAleese, who have both brought greater relevance and meaning to the office of president. Martin’s campaign will provide a platform for him to continue the work he has led in the North and in the peace process and put it on a national footing. It will be a broad-based campaign and it will embody the great republican and democratic principles which underpin the Irish nation.
“This campaign is open to all and we're calling for people in Mayo to join in this campaign and to play your part in electing a people’s president, a president for a new republic in a new time.”
