asked the Minister for the Environment if the Government will consider introducing an amendment to the Constitution to allow for nominations for the Presidency to be made from a wider range of groups and individuals than is provided for at present.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Nominations for Presidency.
18.
I have no proposals for the amendment of the Constitution along the lines suggested by the Deputy.
Would the Minister agree that the constitutional procedures effectively preclude everyone apart from Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael from nominating a candidate? Would he further agree that it is not healthy that there has been no presidential election since 1973?
I do not know whether that question should be addressed to me or not. A question in relation to an election——
Deputy Wilson might like to answer it.
As the Deputy is aware, retiring Presidents may nominate themselves and there is also a formula whereby nominations can be put forward by not less than 20 Members of the Oireachtas or by not less than four counties or county boroughs. No complaints have been received.
Would the Minister consider opening up the procedure and allow nominations to be put forward by, say, not less than 30 local councillors?
I have no proposals in that regard. Is the Deputy interested in running for the Presidency by any chance?
Would the Minister consider that suggestion?
Let us have a reply to Question No. 20.
I have no proposals in that regard and I will not have. There is no point in misleading the Deputy.