Dana Seeks Support For Aras Election

The former Eurovision winner, Derry's own Dana - Rosemary Scallon - has announced her intentions to seek a nomination for Irish presidency.

The former MEP, who nade her name in the Eurovision Song Contest claims she has backing of more than one Independent TD but she will not reveal who.

Ms Scallon will need the backing of 20 parliamentarians to stand and she has said it is very important for her to obtain the nominations she needs to stand for the Irish presidency.

Speaking on RTÉ's Six One News, the former MEP said it would be very, very important to get the support of Fianna Fáil TDs and Senators in order for her to secure a nomination for the Presidency.

But in a devastating blow Fianna Fail have announced that they will not back any candidates who want nonimated into the presidential race.

She has until 28 September to obtain the support she needs. Presidential candidates must secure the support of either at least four city or county councils or 20 members of parliament.

Seen as a social conservative, Dana was MEP for Connacht-Ulster between 1999 and 2004.

Dana previously stood in 1997 when she came third behind Mary McAleese and the Fine Gael candidate Mary Banotti.

McGuinness To Stand

Meanwhile it was announced yesterday that the Stormont Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuiness will step down from his duties in the North to allow him to run for the presidential election.

McGuinness - who like Dana hails from Londonderry - is expected to temporarily hand over his position to the party's Education Minister John O'Dowd.

Mr McGuiness has insisted that voters should not focus on his IRA past in the Irish presidential contest and will instead judge him on his record as a peacemaker.

"The reality is that people know my past," he said.

"I have put myself before the electorate on countless occasions since 1982 and particularly since 1997 when I was first elected as MP for Mid Ulster.

"If people want to examine the past, then let's examine the past of everybody," he said. "I work for what's happening now, what's happening in the future, building better relationships with unionists and moving forward to continue to steward one of the most successful peace processes in the world today."

Facing fresh questions over his time as a paramilitary commander, Mr McGuinness said he had never hidden his involvement in the IRA.

Elsewhere Fianna Fáil Senator Labhrás Ó Murchú announced that he is no longer looking to get on the ballot paper for the Presidential election.

He said: "Following meetings with Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin and speculation in the media about his leadership, I do not wish to prolong uncertainty within Fianna Fáil."

Mr Ó Murchú said he was on course to get the required 20 nominations.

(LB/GK)