INDEPENDENTS:SEÁN GALLAGHER and Mary Davis have rejected a claim by David Norris that he is "the only genuinely Independent candidate" in the race.
“Other candidates may wear the badge of independence, I am the only one who has never been a member of a political party, never appointed to a State board, never had my political campaigns backed by those with vested interests,” Mr Norris told reporters.
This was subsequently rejected by Mr Gallagher, who said: “I have been to the county councils, I have secured the nominations of four councils and I am standing as an Independent candidate.”
Ms Davis said: “I am a totally Independent candidate, I have said this right from the start, I have not been involved in any political party, I am not an insider.
“Any State boards I have been appointed on, it was because of the abilities and skills that I bring and I do feel it is unfair if my integrity is being attacked in that way; it should not be.”
Mr Norris yesterday described the recently published Keane report on mortgage arrears as “an act of betrayal of the people”.
He said the report was “evidence that there is no difference between the current Government’s approach to doing business and the failed approach of the previous Fianna Fáil administration”.
He added: “By electing me as the only genuinely Independent candidate, voters will be ensuring that the last lever of power, the presidency, remains firmly in the hands of you, the people.”
When it was put to him that he could not do anything about mortgages in the office of president, he said: “I can highlight the situation.”
