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FINE GAEL TD Brian Hayes has taken the unprecedented step of publicly backing Labour party TD Michael D Higgins for the presidency.
Hayes told the Sunday Tribune he believes his political rival is the best potential candidate to replace President Mary McAleese when her term of office ends next year.
The Dublin South West TD's public show of support for a rival TD is certain to raise eyebrows in political circles, but Hayes' claims his backing for Higgins stems from some very clear ideas he has about the role of presidency.
"I think that an agreed candidate would be good for the country. From all the candidates I have seen so far, I think that Michael D Higgins would do a good job and he is genuinely respected in the Houses of the Oireachtas as he is an outstanding parliamentarian.
"We need a candidate of stature – I think that Michael D has that and he has the experience of the Dáil, the Seanad and the cabinet which will be a help to him if he is either nominated or elected to the role of president."
Hayes' move comes after Fine Gael MEPs Mairéad McGuinness and Seán Kelly both indicated they are interested in getting the party's nomination.
The Sunday Tribune also understands from senior party sources that McGuinness is the party hierarchy's favoured candidate.
Hayes said he would support a candidate like John Bruton or Gay Mitchell if either were to declare their interest. His preference would be for Bruton because he is "a former Taoiseach of international standing".
He added, "We need a candidate who has a standing across the parties and who has a lot of experience. One term or two term politicians don't fall into this category."
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The brazen audacity of this stunt - attempting to maneouvre a so-called agreed candidate into the presidency is despicable, revolting, outrageous and ultimately undemocratic. How can Hayes and his sendentary late middle-aged Blue Shirts be convinced the nation, whose median age is less than 35 years, will accept a geriatric as president if the electorate never have an opportunity to vote?
Hayes proposal instantly devalues and diminishes Higgins candidacy. Why should a virtually bankrupt country led by a Taoiseach who has no public mandate be followed by a presidential candidate without a public mandate? I guess only a politician whose party is used to episodes of recurring chronic failure at elections could hazard an answer. This concept is the product of a very dull, unenlightened, imagination.
The bottom line is that the public do not give two rattling curses what Hayes thinks, or if he even has the capacity to think. They want a presidential election in 2011!