http://www.senatordavidnorris.ie/ and http://www.norrisforpresident.ie

http://www.norrisforpresident.ie/?p=84

This morning, Senator David Norris formally announced his intention to seek nomination to contest the Presidential Election, which will take place in October of this year.
Senator Norris spoke of the challenges involved in the nomination process and of his determination, his commitment to public service and his vision for the Presidency.
(The full text of his announcement speech is presented below.)

“The First Step”

Introduction
It seems that election season isn’t over just yet, although I’m sure some of you wish it were. With that in mind I hope you all have plenty of shoe leather left, because we’re going to put in a lot of miles between now and Election Day.
It is with a hopeful heart and a deep sense of responsibility, that I stand before you today – to formally announce my intention to seek the presidency of this wonderful country. The decision to seek public office, particularly the highest in the land, is one not taken lightly and so it is with a sense of duty and resolve I put my name forward.
The Challenge of Nomination 
I am committed to contesting this election as an independent candidate, and as I travel the country meeting people and talking with local councillors, I am moved by the reception I have received and greatly encouraged by the people I have met.
And what people continue to say to me, no matter what part of the country I am in, is that now is not the time for politics as usual, but rather a time for political revolution – where the welfare of the Irish people come first.
The times ahead will be challenging. The people expect more from politicians than cries of indignation. These times are too grave, and the challenge to pressing to allow for the traditional political posturing.
The victory I seek will not be easy – I know that. The might of the political establishment will be marshalled against me. But I have taken on the establishment before, I have spent a lifetime challenging that consensus, and I look forward to the contest.
As you well know, for an independent, the challenge of getting nominated in the first instance is an arduous one.
But I look forward to that challenge and I am confident that the wishes of over 30,000 Irish people who have signed various online petitions to support my nomination will not be ignored. Whatever the political divisions in this country, be they by party or ideology, we all agree the voice of the people must be heard.
Commitment to public service
For over 30 years I have been dedicated to public service. This, fuelled by the belief instilled in me by three remarkable Irish women who reared me, my Mother, Grand Mother and Aunt. They taught me we each have a contribution to make, and a responsibility to play our part.
I seek the presidency not for its glories – but for the difference that office can make, and with a deep conviction that I have something to offer.
During my political career, I have always acted with integrity and sought to correct injustice wherever I saw it. If I were to be elected president, it would be the culmination of a career of public service and the vindication of all I have stood for.
To me the role of the president is to shine a light on all that is great about our nation. To protect our sense of fairness and justice, these are principles I hold dear and for which I have fought my entire political career.
These principles are the bedrock of any fair society and I will hold true to these throughout my campaign.
The role of the president
I believe the office of the president exemplifies all that is good about our country. And I would like to pay tribute to the wonderful men and women who have served the people of Ireland so faithfully over the years as president. They have been individuals of great dignity and courage – Who have served us well, both here and abroad.
All have been great leaders of their time, facing challenges unique to that moment in our history. President Robinson advocated so passionately for all those forgotten in our society. While President McAleese played a pivotal role in bringing peace to our island.
The challenge for the next president will be to restore self-confidence in our people – they are hurting. To remind ourselves and those abroad of all that is good about our country. To ensure those who have previously been left without a voice are heard and valued as members of our society. And to encourage all those who are trying to rebuild.
The next president will have to reach out to those communities devastated by isolation and suicide – with some 527 people taking their own lives in 2009, a jump of 27% on the previous year. No longer can we ignore those who struggle with mental health issues. Now is the time to remove the stigma and to confront this issue head on.
The strength to overcome this current crisis will not come from government, but from the people – it is the overwhelming capacity of the Irish people to endure, overcome and to succeed, that will lead us to a better place.
The role of the next president will be to harness that spirit, to support our people and to channel that positive energy. To help rebuild a community that protects the weak, values the young and respects the old.
I hold true to that prophetic statement issued in 1916, that we should cherish all the children of the nation equally.
Ireland has never been a country of “everyone for themselves”, but rather “each playing their part for the common good.” The challenge for the next president will be to help rebuild that sense of community and place – To renew the country through self belief and determination. To recreate our communities, where no elderly person is left unvisited and no child left un-minded.
Ireland leading the way
As I travel around the country, meeting people from all walks of life, people hungry for principled political leadership – it gives me great heart to see that the determination of our people still burns bright. That innate sense of entrepreneurship and invention continues to flourish.
While times continue to be tough for so many people, hope remains, invention remains. Ireland continues to leave its mark on the globe through its resourcefulness and innovation. Be that through making drill bits that have rescued trapped miners Chile or by leading the way in cancer research, as is the case here in Trinity College, or as we continue to lead the way in the agri-food sector. We must continue to invest in research and development, to invest in the ideas of today, and create the jobs of tomorrow.
While we may continue to be a small country, we have shaped the world through or innovation and culture. We have been world leaders in Science and Technology and Culture and Arts.
We have given the world Connolly and Larkin, and Joyce and Heaney and have played a leading role in shaping the world as we know it. Let us not forget that it was the Irish who split the atom, built the white house and invented the basis for our modern computerised world.
The Irish people have left an indelible mark on the world and from Hollywood to Hong Kong and Argentina to Australia – I am committed to telling our story and selling our ideas.
What the world needs now, is not more material goods, but rather good ideas. Since the 8th century, in times of prosperity and in times of distress, Irish people have continued to sell our ideas and creativity.
It will be the role of the next president to foster the innovation, to support the creativity and to promote the physical and mental well being of our people.
All my life I have been committed to promoting the interests of the Irish people at home and abroad. As president, telling our story, promoting our ideas and securing our jobs will be the single greatest priority.
So it is with pride and purpose that I formally announce my intention to seek the office of president of Ireland.
Go raibh maith agat!

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/norris-launches-presidential-bid-2578950.html

Presidential hopeful Senator David Norris claimed people were crying out for a political revolution as he officially launched his bid for Aras an Uachtarain.

Mr Norris said he is not running for the glory of high office but for the difference it could make to people’s lives, claiming he would sell Irelandaround the world.

The prominent gay rights activist believes his sexuality will not be an issue with voters.

“What people continue to say to me … is that now is not the time for politics as usual, rather a time for political revolution, where the welfare of the Irish people comes first,” Mr Norris said.

Mr Norris, who has served in theSeanad since 1987, said the role of the next president would be to foster innovation, creativity and look after the physical and mental well-being of the nation.

Every presidential hopeful needs the support of at least 20 TDs or senators or the backing of four city/county councils to be a candidate.

President Mary McAleese’s term in office ends in November.

Mr Norris said he had written to the Cathaoirleach of every council across the state and would speak to non-party deputies in the Dail.

And he said he would accept support from members of any party.

“The victory I seek will not be easy. I know that,” he said.

“The might of the political establishment will be marshalled against me, but I have spent a lifetime challenging the consensus and I look forward to that contest.”

Mr Norris said he would set aside a substantial chunk of the €250,000 president’s salary if elected for a special fund to make the presidency more accessible to the people.

“This is the people’s money. And I will live as frugally as I can. But at the same time I must pay respect to the office,” he said.

Mr Norris said his sexuality has not been an issue as he canvassed councillors for their support.

“I don’t see myself as a gay president. I see myself as a president who happens to be gay.

“I’ve been successful in Seanad Eireann. It has not been an impediment. I don’t believe it will be now. This is the 21st century.

“I think the Irish people are a little bit bored with my sexuality.”

And he claimed that while he would take his tenure in office seriously, there would be a light side to life in the Aras also.

“I want to be a deeply serious president but that doesn’t mean there’s going to be no fun,” Mr Norris said.

“There’s no point in living if there’s no fun.”

Press Association

And before they start making them, people have to understand that “gay jokes” around the connotations of “Áras” are just not funny…