""Fine Gael public representatives cannot in any way facilitate the nomination of any candidate other than the ratified Fine Gael candidate. "In the event of a vote of any local authority on the nomination of a person other than the ratified Fine Gael candidate, the Fine Gael local authority members are whipped to oppose that nomination," the email from party general secretary John Carroll said."
"The dictate is a major blow to Independents becoming candidates via the council route. Among the Independents potentially seeking a council nomination are Bob Geldof, Maria Steen, Conor McGregor, Nick Delahunty and Gareth Sheridan. A candidate needs the backing of 20 Oireachtas members of four councils to be nominated. But Mr Harris's party has instructed its councillors that if there is a vote to back an Independent they must "oppose that nomination"."
Fine Gael has instructed its councillors to oppose any council nomination of candidates other than the party's ratified candidate, blocking Independent nominations via councils. Several high-profile Independents, including Bob Geldof, Maria Steen, Conor McGregor, Nick Delahunty and Gareth Sheridan, may be affected. A candidate requires backing from 20 Oireachtas members and four councils to be nominated. Sinn Fein appears unlikely to use its councillors to support Independents, and Fianna Fáil may follow suit. Councillors could rebel against party instructions, but defections are unlikely to produce majorities on individual councils or the four councils needed. The council nomination process begins next week.
Read at Irish Independent
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