With only hours to go before nominations close, the question of the lips of everyone in Leinster House is will Maria Steen get nominated for the Presidency?
Nominations close at midday and the independent candidate currently has the support of 18 TDs and Senators - with independent Senator Aubrey McCarthy announcing he would nominate her this morning.
The Constitution requires 20 signatures from members of the Oireachtas and Ms Steen’s supporters are still hopeful she can find a further two.
On Newstalk Breakfast, Irish Examiner journalist Louise Burne said the conservative campaigner’s time is "definitely running very, very short” and predicted it would go “right to the wire”.
“There was some talk in Leinster House about what would Michael Lowry do,” she explained.
“Could he possibly come on as number 19? If he came on as number 19, he would probably bring 20 with him.
“So, there’s all eyes on Michael Lowry; he wasn’t answering anybody’s phone calls or text messages last night.
“Could he step in and save the day?”
Maria Steen with TD supporters. Picture by: Leah Farrell/© RollingNews.ie.While in theory, Government TDs and Senators could nominate Ms Steen, while still pledging to vote for their own party candidate, it is likely there would be severe consequences for those who do.
“Rumours were flying around Leinster House yesterday, particularly of Fianna Fáil Senators who might come on and back Maria Steen,” Ms Burne said.
“[The Steen camp] thought that Fianna Fáilers were weighing up the collateral damage and seeing what would happen.
“In New York, Micheál Martin sent a message to his TDs and Senators and said that there would be consequences if they signed Maria Steen’s nomination papers.”
Maria Steen and her husband Neill arrive for a meeting of Dublin City Council. Picture by: Sasko Lazarov/© RollingNews.ie.There are also a handful of independent Senators who could also yet decide to nominate Ms Steen.
However, that is thought to be unlikely.
“My understanding is that Michael McDowell will not sign Maria Steen’s papers,” Ms Burne said.
“Other independent Senators, including Gerard Craughwell, Victor Boyhan are also not inclined to sign her papers.
“I understand that they’re not for moving on that.”
The withdrawal of Gareth Sheridan from the race earlier this week means that only three candidates will definitely be on the ballot paper next month.
Independent TD Catherine Connolly has been backed by Sinn Féin, the Social Democrats, Labour, the Greens and People Before Profit.
Former Cabinet Minister Heather Humphreys has been nominated by Fine Gael, while Fianna Fáil is supporting former Dublin GAA manager Jim Gavin.
Main image: Maria Steen with her husband Neill speaking to the media outside Leinster House. Picture by: Leah Farrell/© RollingNews.ie.
