Labour TDs have 'open mind' on Catherine Connolly Áras bid

Labour TDs George Lawlor and Marie Sherlock have said they have have an "open mind" to supporting Catherine Connolly's presidential campaign - despite the Independent TD previously saying Labour has "lost its soul".

The TDs outlined their views to reporters at Leinster House before a meeting between Labour's parliamentary party and Deputy Connolly this afternoon.

If Labour's 13 TDs and senators will support Deputy Connolly's nomination, it would push the prospective candidate over the 20 nominations line, as both the Social Democrats, which has 12 TDs and senators ,and People Before Profit, which has two TDs, have already confirmed their support, with Solidarity, which has one TD, open to supporting her.

Asked if this may happen even though Deputy Connolly described Labour as having "lost its soul" a decade ago, party TD George Lawlor said "it is great to see a candidate from the Left" and that "Catherine Connolly has approached the Labour party" for a meeting.

Deputy Lawlor said, "I've an open mind", on whether to support Deputy Connolly.

Asked the same question his party colleague, Marie Sherlock TD, said "the conversation has to take place" and that Labour was the party which first suggested that a combined Left candidate should be nominated.

Asked if Deputy Connolly needed to clarify certain policies in the past, including who she nominated in the 2018 presidential race, Deputy Sherlock repeated that Labour's meeting with Deputy Connolly will take place today.

'Common sense'

Independent Ireland leader Michael Collins said the only potential Independent presidential candidate with "common sense" right now is left-wing TD Catherine Connolly.

Speaking with reporters at Leinster House, Deputy Collins downplayed talk of his grouping supporting another candidate aligned with its views at this stage, saying "some of the others [suggested as potential candidates] couldn't even win a council seat".

He said Independent Ireland will give "serious consideration" to any candidate who has a legitimate chance of receiving the necessary backing of either 20 TDs and senators or four local authorities in order to formally enter the presidential race.

However, asked if he would support an Aontú candidate - a party which has two TDs and one senator - Deputy Collins said: "I don't think [they'll have enough support] to put forward a candidate."