Up To 18 Presidential Hopefuls To Face Ten-Minute Pitch In Front Of Local Cllrs Next Week

Tuesday, 9 September 2025 08:49

By Martin Osborne

Speaking to Kfm, Social Democrats Cllr Chris Pender said ten minutes is enough time to make a presentation. He said if a potential candidate “can’t get their point across in ten minutes, they shouldn’t be running".

Prospective presidential candidates will have the opportunity to make their case before Kildare County Council next week as part of efforts to secure a nomination.

A special meeting of the council has been provisionally scheduled for Monday, September 15 at 3.30pm, when candidates will be given ten minutes each to present their vision and outline their manifestos.

Council representatives confirmed that up to 18 individuals have expressed interest, with upwards of 15 expected to take part in the session.

Candidates who fail to present will have until Friday, September 19, to submit manifestos

Speaking to Kfm, Social Democrats Cllr Chris Pender said ten minutes is enough time to make a presentation.

He said if a potential candidate “can’t get their point across in ten minutes, they shouldn’t be running".

He said the process is designed to ensure political seriousness and clarity.

Under Irish law, anyone seeking to run for president must be nominated either by 20 members of the Oireachtas or by at least four local authorities.

Candidates must also be aged 35 or older.

The deadline for nominations is 12pm, September 24, 2025, with the Presidential Election set for October 2025.

At this stage, the names of potential candidates have not been released by Kildare County Council.

Fine Gael has banned its councillors, including eleven in Kildare, from backing Independent candidates in the presidential election.

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