PATRICK COOPER
IrishCentral.com
Staff Writer
Published
Monday, February 22, 2010
A major effort is underway to
elect Senator David Norris, the Dublin-based politician, as the first openly gay
president of Ireland.
Norris,
65, a former Trinity College Dublin lecturer who has led
the campaign for gay rights in
The Irish
presidential election is scheduled for 2011, when current occupant Mary McAleese steps down after two terms.
The Irish President does not
play a role in party politics, which is left to the
Prime Minister, but has a powerful symbolic and legal oversight
function. Occupants such as McAleese and former President Mary Robinson have
greatly increased the visibility and importance of the job
A group
of influential liberal supporters have now begun circulating a petition and
forming a Facebook site for Norris to run for president.
The online petition states in
part:
"In 2011 we will have the
opportunity to change
“We believe that Senator Norris
is an individual of principle, pride and social justice and that his values
reflect those of a changing
We only ask for you signature, a
small part in ensuring that the best Candidate becomes
Norris may well have good
prospects for the job. The negative attitude towards party politicians in the
current recession means he may be in a position to capitalize as an independent
voice.
Norris is
also a skilled campaigner and debater and would appeal to the more upscale
Last year Norris acknowledged
that he has macular degeneration in his eyes, a progressive condition that
could eventually blind him.
However, he stated that so far
the condition has not affected him appreciably apart from giving up night
driving.