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Parties backing Higgins told to not use his image

  

Neutral: President Michael D Higgins is standing as an independent candidate. Picture: Tony Gavin Expand

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Neutral: President Michael D Higgins is standing as an independent candidate. Picture: Tony Gavin

Neutral: President Michael D Higgins is standing as an independent candidate. Picture: Tony Gavin

Neutral: President Michael D Higgins is standing as an independent candidate. Picture: Tony Gavin

Kevin Doyle Twitter Email

President Michael D Higgins has banned political parties backing his re-election from using his image on literature and posters.

The incumbent has the support of Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil, the Labour Party, Social Democrats and the Green Party.

While he is happy for them to spend party funds backing his campaign, they have been warned not to use his picture.

The Labour Party has erected posters urging voters to give him their number one - but the posters have no image of Mr Higgins.

Likewise, election pamphlets paid for by Fine Gael use pictures of their TDs and senators rather than the President.

A spokesperson for Mr Higgins said he "very much welcomes the support of many political parties".

"Nevertheless he is head of State and must respect the party-political independence of that office, and he is also standing as an independent candidate in the election.

"For these reasons, it was considered inappropriate for his image to be used on party election material."

Fine Gael's Regina Doherty said the party plans to spend between €50,000 and €100,000 helping the President.

The Labour Party is spending up to €70,000.

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