2011 Irish presidential election party was unlikely to run a candidate both for financial reasons and also because it was unlikely that a Fianna Fáil nominee could be successful. In early August 2011 there was press speculation that RTÉ broadcaster Gay Byrne might seek a nomination. On 6 August Micheál Martin rang Byrne at his holiday home to indicate that Fianna Fáil Oireachtas members would facilitate his nomination. Byrne indicated that he had yet to make a decision on whether to put his name forward, but said that if he did so he would not run under the Fianna Fáil banner but as an
1990 Irish presidential election president. 1990 Irish presidential election The Irish presidential election of 1990 was the tenth presidential election to be held in Ireland, the fifth to be contested by more than one candidate and the first to have a female candidate. It was held on Wednesday, 7 November 1990. Under Article 12 of the Constitution of Ireland, a candidate for president could be nominated by: Brian Lenihan, the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence was chosen by Fianna Fáil as their candidate, though he faced a late challenge for the party nomination from another senior minister, John Wilson. Lenihan was popular and widely