#presidential-election

#presidential-election

I'd like to say you have a stake in this, a right to participate, of being heard and participate. We need to go out to towns and villages and listen to people. to hear what they have to say.

As we sit here in the Wedgewood Room of Dublin Castle surrounded by portraits of British nobility from the 19th century, Catherine Connolly is in Galway accepting the inevitable. Privately senior Fine Gael figures have told us they know the game is up and it's a matter of damage limitation. But another story is also emerging... tallies are suggesting not just a historically low turnout but also that tens of thousands of those who did go to a polling station yesterday spoiled their vote.

With the presidential election done and dusted, remind yourself of the highs and lows of the campaign

The minister seems happy to skip the first Cabinet meeting since summer and has also taken on role of director of elections for the presidential election Jack Chambers stood in the community garden and sunroom in the village of Kilmeedy in west Limerick taking in the vista. It's marvellous that the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation was able to take a moment for reflection on his visit 12 days ago.

The decision by leader Mary Lou McDonald not to put herself forward will no doubt disappoint some of her supporters. She is a skilful campaigner and has repeatedly proven herself as a formidable debater - invaluable traits on the hustings. Some argue she is such a totem for Sinn Féin that were she to lose, she could damage both her own prospects and those of the party, so inextricably are their fates linked.

'Some encouraged me, others said stay the course [as Sinn Féin president]' - Mary Lou McDonald Sinn Féin leader still does not definitively say if party will have their own candidate - or if they will back Catherine Connolly Fine Gael's Heather Humphreys to kickstart her campaign next week Fianna Fáil to vote for their presidential candidate tomorrow

It had been expected that each candidate would be given 15 minutes to present - but this may be reduced given that 17 candidates are now seeking Kerry County Council backing

Heather Humphreys, Catherine Connolly and Jim Gavin are virtually neck and neck among voters, while Bob Geldof leads wildcards on 7pc

IAA's Declan Fitzpatrick among those to publicly support former Dublin manager in Áras run The aviation regulator has refused to comment on whether its chief ­executive, Declan Fitzpatrick, was speaking in a personal capacity when he endorsed Jim Gavin for the presidential election. A number of high-ranking executives in semi-state agencies have broken with the tradition of staying out of party politics and publicly backed Mr Gavin's campaign.