Duffy focusing on ‘home turf’ ahead of crucial Council meeting

MICHAEL KEAVENEY

Gavin Duffy has confirmed he has officially requested to address Meath County Council and is looking forward to outlining his vision for the presidency at a specially convened meeting on August 27th.
Meath's 40 local councillors will have the opportunity to hear from those seeking a nomination to be on the ballot paper for October's presidential election. 
Duffy also announced that his campaign team is opening two offices in Drogheda for the Fleadh Cheoil where over 400,000 people will visit between August 12th and 19th, which will act as tea rooms where families can stop to have a complimentary tea or coffee during the festival.
Last week Duffy who is best known, for his role as an investor on RTE's Dragons' Den, made his maiden political speech speaking to Waterford City and County Council along with two other Presidential hopefuls, Senator Joan Freeman and Patrick Feeney.

_{Gavin Duffy at home in Kilsharvan House}

“There was a very positive reaction, but I am taking nothing for granted,” Gavin told the Meath Chronicle. “As for my home turf, for the next two weeks I am concentrating solely on meeting Meath councillors. I am going to be talking to members of all parties.
“Even though the Fine Gael Party is supporting President Higgins some of the councillors have informed me as yet they have had no instruction how to vote and so may vote for me. One councillor has told me privately, ‘my party is supporting President Higgins and I respect that decision but I also know the majority of people want this election. If I vote for someone on August 27th that is not a vote against President Higgins but vote for democracy to allow that person to only contest the election. The president is the only office holder in the State that the people elect.'”
Should Sinn Fein’s eight councillors abstain that would leave Meath County Council’s 13 Fine Gael Councillors in a minority to the combined eighteen members of Fianna Fail (10) and Independents (9). There is no Labour Party member on the Council.
“It will be tighter on the day as there will be others seeking a nomination and if they pick up two or three votes each it really does become very tight,” Gavin continued. “I can’t be complacent, nor would I ever be in anything I take on, so I am going to meet and talk with every councillor as often as I can to win their support for my nomination as the local candidate.”

_{Gavin Duffy with wife Orlaith Carmody  at home in Kilsharvan House}

President Higgins is very popular but I know in my heart I can and will be a better President. My vision for the Presidency is to represent the people of Ireland and be their voice at home and abroad. To inspire citizens of every age to make Ireland a better place, so that we can all reach our full potential. To connect with as many people as possible energetically, engagingly and enthusiastically and to communicate a vision of ourselves to the wider world.”