So the worst kept secret in Irish politics revealed itself finally in this morning’s Irish Examiner with the story that Fergus Finlay has written to the Labour Party to seek it’s nomination to run for the Irish Presidency

This has been in the offing a long time before Finlay won the Liveline poll on who should be the next president which was about as scientific as the latest Paddy Power odds (you can compare them to the post I wrote last year on the issue.

David Norris 5/2
Brian Crowley 11/4
Michael D Higgins 3/1
John Bruton 7/1
Fergus Finlay 10/1
Sean Kelly MEP 10/1
Bertie Ahern 14/1
Mary Davis 16/1
Mairead McGuinness 16/1
Mary White 18/1
Emily O’Reilly 20/1

No doubt Joe Duffy will be claiming his part in the nomination seeking but it’s not going to be a easy journey to the nomination for Finlay as many people in the party support the nomination of Michael D. Higgins with others supporting David Norris. (Neither of whom have come knocking on the door yet).

By the way I’ve noted that Fine Gael MEP and apsiring nominee Sean Kelly is up and down like a yo-yo speaking on issues in the European Parliament. Now Sean is reknowned for his ability to get in the picture at Fine Gael Ard Fheiseanna and the like. (His Rose of Tralee front row pitch spotted a few weeks ago!) I was watching a live session of the parliament on Tuesday evening and noted he was the only Irish MEP to speak on issues including freedom of the press and the care of older people. He didn’t speak on the motion on same sex relationships and mutual recognition in member states unsurprisingly. More on that issue anon.