In the aftermath of yesterday’s meeting between hopefuls aiming to get onto the presidential ballot paper and Meath County Councillors it became starkly clear how difficult it is to get a nomination if you’re an independent. The chances of getting onto the ballot paper are so slim that it is almost impossible – as Maria Steen is finding a she tries to reach the elusive 20 Oireachtas members in the next few hours as the deadline for declarations looms on Wednesday. The reality was clear – the two main political parties FF and FG have their candidates while Sinn Fein, with the help of others, has thrown in its backing behind Catherine Connolly. Games over, in a manner of speaking.

One Fine Gael councillor wanted to change the council’s standing orders and if the suggestion was passed, no possible candidate would be given the nod by the council. Although the questioning of candidates was polite, it was clear that Fine Gael members were going to obey the party whip by opting out of backing any independent candidate.

The non-party independent councillors expressed opinions that democracy was best served by giving people the choice to select an independent. Cllr Nick Killian said he had been approached by Gareth Sheridan and Cllr Joe Bonner also said he had been approached by candidates canvassing his vote. At one point in the meeting he suggested s five- minute break so that councillors could could get direction on standing orders, there was turmoil at the meeting, everyone was talking, executives in huddles and he suggested a break to get clarification.

Cllr Joe Fox was adamant that he had heard little from any potential candidates,(some generic emails as he described the contact made to him),  while his Fine Gael colleague Cllr Sharon Tolan said “I do not support any of them”, adding that she had “put in the
hard slog” to fight local, national and Seanad elections and there was no pubic loyalty or service. Independent Cllr David Gilroy said he would be interested to hear what the potential candidates had to say. Cllr Dave Boyne said he was against lobbying for support in the run-up to council meetings. “I just think this notion of people ringing ahead is wrong. This [council meeting] is the forum where you
get to speak”. It took an hour to get the motion voted on as to whether to hear the potential candidates. The members voted to allow the potential candidates to address them.

In-person addresses were made to the councillors by Charlie Keddy, Charlotte Keenan, Lorna McCormack and Gareth Sheridan while online addresses were made by Lucy-Anne O’Leary, Sarah Louise Mulligan, Gearoid Duffy. Each candidate was given five minutes speaking time and then took questions from councillors.
This is how the councillors voted on the nomination of Gareth Sheridan.

Proposal to nominate Gareth Sheridan by Members of Meath County Council
Cllr Party Yes No Abstain Absent
1  Yemi Adenuga FG X
2 Fionnan Blake SF X
3 Joe Bonner Ind X
4 Dave Boyne Aontu X
5 Mike Bray FF X
6 Peter Caffrey SF X
7 Eugene Cassidy FG X
8 Padraig Coffey FF X
9 Francis Deane Ind X
10 Sean Drew FF X
11 John Duffy FG X
12 Yvonne Everard Ind X
13 Edward Fennessy SF X
14 Brian Fitzgerald Ind X
15 Padraig Fitzsimons FF X
16 Joe Fox FG X
17 Noel French Ind X
18 Michael Gallagher SF X
19 David Gilroy Ind X
20 Wayne Harding FF X
21 Susanne Jamal FG X
22 Geraldine Keogan Ind X
23 Nick Killian Ind X
24 Alan Lawes Ind X
25 Carol Lennon Ind X
26 Stephen McKee FF X
27 Paddy Meade FG X
28 Helen Meyer SF X
29 Maria Murphy FG X
30 Gerry O’Connor FG X
31 Caroline O’Reilly FF X
32 Paul O’Rourke FF X
33 Sarah Reilly FGF X
34 Amanda Smith Ind X
35 Alan Tobin FG X
36 Emer Tóibín Aontu X
37 Sharon Tolan FG X
38 Conor Tormey FF X
39 Maria White SF X
40 Ronan Moore Soc. D X
13 14 5 8 40

The motion failed. Later in the day Sheridan announced his withdrawal from the race.