A large swathe of the Irish electorate has now been left totally disenfranchised by some of the figures who are most vocal about ‘choice’ and strong women’.
That’s the assessment of Aontú Senator Sarah O’ Reilly who has expressed ‘terrible disappointment’ that “despite the huge work and groundswell of backing for Maria Steen, she has been effectively silenced, because frankly she would have been too good and too articulate”
“I, and thousands like me are absolutely devastated that we won’t have the opportunity to vote for Maria Steen in the upcoming Presidential Election.
I really want to commend the incredible work she and her team have done in such a short time, together with the various TDs and Senators who committed to signing her nomination papers.
There were a range of Oireachtas members who had pledged their support for another candidate but recognised the importance of protecting and amplifying democracy by lending their signature to her nomination papers. They are to be commended.
There was a huge and growing demand amongst the public and across the political spectrum to see Maria Steen’s name on the presidential ballot. It was impressive to see over a hundred independent councillors sign a petition to nominate Maria.
It is truly devastating that despite this support she has missed out on getting on the ballot by only two signatures.
Nobody was asking the potential signatories to support Maria Steen, simply to facilitate the public’s support.
The public are the real losers here as they have been completely denied their choice of candidate.
Up until the last-minute people were contacting Senators and TDs pleading with them to ensure there would be a candidate present at those debates to represent them, to represent their views. I am so encouraged and heartened by the vast numbers of people who truly appreciate and support a candidate who is full of integrity, decency and incredible dignity.
Truth matters to Maria Steen.
It matters to me and to the many, many people across the country who were looking forward to being able to vote for a person they know doesn’t run with the hare and hunt with the hound.
Sadly, we have a large section of the establishment ‘body politic’ who do not care about representation, who have ignored their electorate by dismissing the very councillors who voted for them.
Having Maria Steen on the ballot would have allowed a large portion of society to be represented. It was an opportunity for open, reasoned and calm debate where ideas and opinions could be tested. Now that large section of society will be silenced throughout the presidential debates.
It’s dangerous for democracy when an entire section of society goes unheard and ignored. The establishment was afraid of Maria Steen getting onto the ballot paper. They wanted a 3 way race to limit the chances of a candidate other than their one succeeding.
If you believe that your candidate is accomplished enough to be the President of Ireland then you shouldn’t shy away from their positions being tested by an alternative viewpoint.
Maria Steen would have been a truly formidable addition to the presidential ballot and I can only presume that is the exact reason she was kept off it”.
