Presidential Bid In Kildare: Three Councillors Enough To Nominate Candidate, Majority Rules On Outcome

Tuesday, 9 September 2025 16:50

By Martin Osborne

To get a name on the table, three councillors must first come together to nominate a candidate.

It will take just three councillors to put a name forward for presidential nomination at Kildare County Council next week - but a simple majority of those present will ultimately decide whether that candidate secures the council’s backing.

To get a name on the table, three councillors must first come together to nominate a candidate.

Once nominated, that person goes forward to a vote of the full chamber.

Whoever secures a simple majority will become the council’s choice.

For example, if 20 councillors attend, 11 votes would be enough.

Some non Fianna Fail and Fine Gael cllrs have expressed concern that Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil may use their numbers to stop independents being facilitated - effectively blocking names from even reaching a vote.

One Fianna Fail cllr stressed, however, that protocols are being put in place to make the process as open and as "democratic" as possible, with meetings planned to allow candidates to present themselves before any vote.

They said a simple majority is the best way forward but said their party leadership has not issued any guidance to its councillors about whether they should facilitate or block potential nominees.

Concerns remain among some cllrs that party instructions, including those issued by Fine Gael, could be used to prevent a potential candidate from progressing.

One Fine Gael cllr said they would not be supporting an Independent candidate and that they will follow party protocol and support Heather Humphreys.