24th Aug 2025 11:04
(Alliance News) - Sinn Fein has not yet decided whether to field its own presidential candidate or back another, Mary Lou McDonald said.
The Dublin TD said she has been thinking about things "on a personal level", but added that she has also been listening to the party on its views.
She made the comments as she attended a Justice for Harvey protest in Dublin.
Harvey Morrison, who had spina bifida and scoliosis, died last month aged nine.
Asked whether the party had made its decision on whether to run its own candidate, McDonald said: "Well, look, we're still in the process of deliberation.
"We have essentially two options. To stand a Sinn Fein candidate or to back another, and the party is still talking about that.
"It's August now. In September, we'll make that call.
"Well, I've obviously been thinking about things on a personal level, but more importantly, I've been leading and involved in and listening to the party conversation."
Asked if she would like to be president, McDonald said: "I would like to be in the sunshine now walking the hills of north Portugal."
Opposition parties who endorse presidential candidate Catherine Connolly hope that Sinn Fein will back her in the upcoming election.
Asked if her party will support Connolly if they rule out their candidate, McDonald told reporters: "We're looking at all options, and of course, the electorate will decide ultimately.
"It strikes me that outside of maybe political people and media people, when I'm out and about, this is not the lead issue on people's minds.
"People are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis. That's what I'm hearing.
"Kids are getting back to school. Young people are starting university and college. They're wondering what their fees are going to be.
"We have our process under way. We're weighing up all of those issues for us.
"I will say this, the issue of Ireland's future and Irish reunification matters in this campaign, the issue of Ireland's place in the world as a neutral but also as a champion of the UN system of the fair and equal application of international human rights.
"All of that matters in this campaign.
"I personally think our young people, we need to have a conversation about our young people.
"You could look across many other scenarios where Ireland at a time of great prosperity, our young people are being failed.
"I think that conversation across our society is long overdue."
Connolly has the backing of Labour, the Social Democrats, People Before Profit and a range of other independents.
Fianna Fail has yet to decide if it will field a candidate.
Two hopefuls have announced their intention to seek Fine Gael's nomination for president.
Fine Gael MEP Sean Kelly and former party deputy leader Heather Humphreys announced their intention to seek nomination earlier this week.
Nutriband entrepreneur Gareth Sheridan, who also attended the justice rally on Saturday, is among other hopefuls seeking a nomination.
source: PA
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