THREE MAKE THE CUT IN RACE TO BE PRESIDENT...

Steen left 'humbled by support' as she falls short

- BY NEIL LESLIE

MARIA Steen fell short of the 20 required signatures to enter the presidential race, as the nomination window closed with just three candidates confirmed.

To be eligible to run, a candidate must be over the age of 35 and have been nominated either by 20 members of the Oireachtas or four local authorities.

No candidate was successful through the local authority route after most councils decided not to nominate any candidate, with the majority of councillors from the largest parties choosing to oppose independent hopefuls.

Ms Steen, who was a prominent voice among those campaigning for “no” votes in referendums on abortion and same-sex marriage, had received the backing of 18 TDs and senators to get on the ballot paper — but this was insufficient.

She also campaigned on the “no” side in last year's referendums on family and care, which were defeated.

Conceding the end of her bid, Ms Steen told reporters outside Leinster House yesterday she was “humbled by the outpouring of support” for her campaign.

She added: “While I'm honoured to have received 90% of the required signatures from members of the Oireachtas, I regret to say it was not enough and that time has now run out.”

Ms Steen said the public's “hunger for an alternative candidate” will now go “unsatisfied”.

She added: “My effort to make that the ballot has not been successful, but I do not feel like I have lost - I have the privilege of returning to life at home with a wonderful family.”