This morning.

Ahead of Wednesday’s deadline, Gemma O’Doherty has secured a nomination to contest the Presidency of Ireland.

Ms O’Doherty will need four council nominations with Sligo, Kildare, Donegal, and Louth left to decide or the support of 20 Oireachtas members.

More as we get it.

Update: Donegal and Sligo are not holding a vote on nominations and therefore Ms O’Doherty has run out of councils and must now rely on TDs and Senators.

Saturday: Early Evening Presidential Matters

Meanwhile…

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49 thoughts on “Laois Of Life?

  1. ReproButina

    “Laois has shown itself to be a democratic county.”

    Meaning what? That those counties that didn’t nominate are not democratic?

    1. Joe Small

      What’s her slogan? “You’ve nominated the best, now nominate the rest?”
      Councils are looking around, anxious to exercise one of their few constitutional powers and saying, “Ah, sure why not?”

  2. Sibling of Daedalus

    That is good news, on the basis of her platform, presentations and interviews Gemma O’Doherty satisfies any minimum requirement for nomination.

    Everyone (other than those aligned to political parties) has an interest in this test not being set too low, so there there is a wide field of candidates necessarily confined to those with party support.

    The Presidential election allows the Irish people’s voice to be heard on a non-constituency basis and is an important part of democracy. It is vital that it be as open as possible.

    I hope that if nominated Gemma O’Doherty will give us further information about her views and vision to enable us to make up our mind. Engagement with voters and provision of information is an important part of democracy also.

  3. Stephen

    Maybe so but wouldn’t it be better to let the public actually vote on it.

    Yes there does need to be some mechanism to filter the candidates before the election itself, but it being limited to the way it is currently is not a fair mechanism.

    I wouldn’t be her biggest fan but given the current range of candidates I would have liked to have her in the mix.

  4. millie st murderlark

    Congratulations Gemma. Very glad to see her being given a chance. Let’s hope this isn’t the only nomination.

        1. Brother Barnabas

          perhaps. but at least there are quite a lot of people (from what i can tell) who want to/would vote for o’doherty. i haven’t met anyone who wants to vote for gallagher or the other one (what’s his name… the one who’s trying to go country squire on it). assume there’ll be a few loons who’ll vote for the iona institute one but that doesn’t count either.

          1. Brother Barnabas

            chris de burgh has sold more than 45 million albums worldwide in a career that dates back to the mid 1970s

          2. rotide

            So with all the talk of the democratic process that gemma has been endlessly whinging about, certain peoples votes dont count?

            You’re never going to hear from people voting for Gallagher, but they’re out there. Its like a form of Rule 34

    1. Abigail

      talking sense now Mildred.

      I think she’s wonderful. I want someone who will challenge the status quo and will not hide from challenge and scrutiny.

      1. millie st murderlark

        Oh well thank you, peach.

        I haven’t made up my mind about her yet. But I’d like to see her make a go of it. She’d make a very interesting candidate and I think it’d be a good thing to see her run.

        1. Brother Barnabas

          it would have been more fun to see miriam o’callaghan run – i can picture it in my mind, though

  5. b

    Gavan Reilly @gavreilly
    Replying to @gavreilly
    …and that’s the window closed. Motion to nominate O’Doherty heavily defeated in Cork County Co – 5 in favour, 28 against, and 6 abstentions (via @StepRogers). Only one other Gemma motion today in Kildare, but there simply aren’t enough councils left to get her onto #aras18 vote

    and that’s that

  6. b

    If she really thinks she has a following and has been stifled by political parties she should run as a TD, there’s no barrier to getting on the ticket and has much more ability there to influence the causes she stands for

  7. Cian

    I’m sick of Gemma and her ‘lack of democracy’ shtick.

    From the founding of the State until 1997 the Councils *never* proposed a presidential candidate even though they had the power. It was a tussle between the main parties. In 74, 76 and 83 only one candidate was proposed – so no election at all.

    In 1997 it all changed, In 1997 the councils proposed four candidates; in 2011 two, and this year (so far) four. Four. In 2018 the councils have democratically selected four separate people as candidates for the presidential election. They have also considered Norma Burke, William Delaney, David Doucette, Patrick Feeney, John Groarke, Patrick Melly, Marie Goretti Moylan, Sarah Louise Mulligan, Gemma O’Doherty, John O’Hare, Kevin Sharkey, and James Smyth. And found them all wanting.

    If none of the councils voted any candidates I could agree with her. But from where I’m sitting, it’s not them. It’s her.

    *[at this stage I would like to see her on the ballot, and then we would really see how popular she is]

    1. Jeffrey

      Except they started shutting down shop when the 3 dragons got nominated. Anyone who cannot see how GoD nomination was blocked by FG/FF needs to review some basic observation skills.Well done to Laos CC for braving the whips.

      1. Cian

        So which seven of Norma Burke, Peter Casey, William Delaney, David Doucette, Gavin Duffy, Patrick Feeney, Joan Freeman, Seán Gallagher, John Groarke, Patrick Melly, Marie Goretti Moylan, Sarah Louise Mulligan, Gemma O’Doherty, John O’Hare, Kevin Sharkey, and James Smyth should the 31 councils have proposed?

    1. Mattress Pat

      Absolutely, I have noticed this. If you post a negative comment about Gemma it will never appear. Nazism at its worst.

      1. scottser

        you’re saying that a bias towards one candidate on an internet forum is ‘nazism at its worst’?
        have a think about what you just posted there pat.

  8. H

    Didn’t read all the comments so apologies if I missed this but am I the only one who thinks she looks like she is about to start a jig or a horn pipe in that top picture?

    1. Johnny

      Yes,it’s 2018 and polite,educated,well mannered people refrain from commenting on the personal appearance of candidates.Its basically good manners,what’s your excuse for having none ?

        1. johnny

          The level of vitriol directed towards Gemma is irrational and hysterical,is it too much to ask ‘men’ to refrain from commenting on her appearance ?

          Normally sane people have lost the plot regarding Gemma,but I’d like think in this day and age her appearance is not subjected to ridicule,like the above who was in such a rush to puke his/her comments on here that they admitted,to not even bothering reading any of the others !

          1. rotide

            Don’t even go there. Gallagher and Simon Harris to name but two are constantly called out on their appearance in photos. It’s nothing to do with sexism.

  9. b

    @SeanDefoe
    Kildare County Council has voted not to nominate a candidate in the Presidential election.

    Gemma O’Doherty got 1 vote, Sarah Lousie Mulligan got 2 and there were 22 in favour of no nomination

    #Áras18

    i’m sorry but lol

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