Inside Politics / Inside Story

Ellen Coyne and Cormac McQuinn join Hugh Linehan to look back on the week in politics:·       With polling day expected to be October 24th, nominations are now open for the office of president and to close on September 24th.  Another date to keep in mind is next Tuesday September 9th which will see a vote among Fianna Fáil’s 71-strong parliamentary party to select its presidential candidate from former Dublin football manager Jim Gavin and MEP Billy Kelleher. ·       And with nominations closing on September 24th, that leaves just three weeks for Independent candidates, including Gareth Sheridan, Nick Delehanty and Maria Steen, to secure nominations from local authorities. ·       September 20th could be a red-letter day for Sinn Féin. The party will either confirm support for Independent TD Catherine Connolly or select a candidate of their own choosing. Will questions be asked of Mary Lou McDonald if