Sean Gallagher's former director of elections believes Mairéad McGuinness and Catherine Connolly have an advantage by declaring so early.
Former Vice President of the European Commission and MEP, Mairéad McGuinness was the only person to put their name forward as Fine Gael's presidential candidate. Independent TD Catherine Connolly also confirmed she is running for election today, with backing from the Social Democrats, People Before Profit, and a number of Independent Deputies. Cathal Lee, from Ballyjamesduff, was director of elections for Sean Gallagher's presidential campaign.
He says McGuinness and Connolly have an advantage, as the hard work of securing a nomination is already behind them.