Why is nobody trying to abolish the office of President?

musings

After watching the media coverage of the Presidency race so far, I really can't understand how there aren't more questions being asked as to whether we can afford to keep this office.

In the age of Austerity,income levys etc it beggars belief that we are still paying someone €320K per year + free house + state car + expenses to do the work the Attorney General should have done.

To me the office of President is a shameful waste of money and should be consigned to history.

Why is there no meaningful debate about abolishing the office?

Mickey H

Because we need someone to present the Sam Mcguire.

maygitchell

To keep the space open for Facekicker who will rise to the post when the time is right

Amirani

It's too expensive but it's necessary. Sure haven't you heard Dana? The constitution is under attack...

joshrogan

maygitchell wrote: »

.

Hi Michael D Higgins. Trying to pull a fast one with that username, the M at the start gives it away!

Dotrel

musings wrote: »

Why is there no meaningful debate about abolishing the office?

So what would you prefer? A monarchy perhaps? I don't want this country represented by a Queen. I'd much prefer David Norris.

maygitchell

Dotrel wrote: »

So what would you prefer? A monarchy perhaps? I don't want a queen representing this country if that's what your talking about. I'd much prefer David Norris.

Contradiction?

Diairist

the quangos? HIQA said Roscommon A & E had to close but they didn't visit and got cardiac mortality rate wrong. Couldn't the HSE have looked at teh work done by the C S O or the Health research Board (Bord taighde...) and check their figures? We have HSE & Childline taking tax money to look after kids - but there's a child protection board as well. NAMA is minding broke developers but Credit Control board is minding NAMA decisions. What did Pobal do for you this week? Etc etc

Dotrel

maygitchell wrote: »

Contradiction?

Yep. I'd stick that Rainier Wolfcastle pix here if I could find it.

The Davestator

Populist nonsense to ask the question. Example. A visit by the president to a town will result in thousands of euro into the local economy. The president has approx 3 engagements per day as well as influencing foreign investment etc.

Zebra3

musings wrote: »

After watching the media coverage of the Presidency race so far, I really can't understand how there aren't more questions being asked as to whether we can afford to keep this office.

Most journos are lazy.

Following around a bunch of washed up wasters is money for old rope.

General General

Separation of powers, necessary branch, blah blah blah... actually, what about we get a bit of direct democracy on the go here in the Republic of Ireland, like they got in Switzerland...

Saila

the best bit is why the fuck does getting 1/4 of the quota = €200,000 for those who manage that, thats a much better question
my jaw nearly fell off when I heard this on national tv the other day but not one of the panel bated an eyelid :mad:

musings

The Davestator wrote: »

Populist nonsense to ask the question. Example. A visit by the president to a town will result in thousands of euro into the local economy. The president has approx 3 engagements per day as well as influencing foreign investment etc.

You've swallowed the spin about the office. If you think about it logically: how many presidential visits can you remember coming here if you exclude Obama or the Queen?? If you can remember a visit from the president of Argentina for example, then I'd like to know how many jobs he brought back to Argentina from Ireland

I would like some concrete examples of the wealth created by the presidency please.

musings

Saila wrote: »

the best bit is why the fuck does getting 1/4 of the quota = €200,000 for those who manage that, thats a much better question
my jaw nearly fell off when I heard this on national tv the other day but not one of the panel bated an eyelid :mad:

eh? Can you elaborate on this please. never heard of that.

maygitchell

musings wrote: »

eh? Can you elaborate on this please. never heard of that.

If you manage to get a certain percentage of the quota in the actual election you get a refund on campaign expenses, I think is what the poster meant?

cryano

I think the Nation needs a national mammy that turns up at GAA finals and says well done lads.

The actual job of the President is to keep the government in check and uphold the consitution. Why this job requires a mansion in the middle of the park and a small army of security is beyond me.

Saila

musings wrote: »

eh? Can you elaborate on this please. never heard of that.

if you run for president and you get 1/4 of the quota, basically a certain number of votes far less than needed to be president you get 200,000 euro..just like that, heard it on primetime on thursday. check RTE player.

bonkers!

im invisible

Dotrel wrote: »

Yep. I'd stick that Rainier Wolfcastle pix here if I could find it.

here ya go:cool:

Zebra3

cryano wrote: »

I think the Nation needs a national mammy that turns up at GAA finals and says well done lads.

Sexist!!!!!!!!!!

cryano wrote: »

The actual job of the President is to keep the government in check and uphold the consitution.

Which that unelected bitch McAlesse failed miserably to do when FF/Greens were raping the taxpayer to throw money at foreign banks. :mad:

The Davestator

musings wrote: »

You've swallowed the spin about the office. If you think about it logically: how many presidential visits can you remember coming here if you exclude Obama or the Queen?? If you can remember a visit from the president of Argentina for example, then I'd like to know how many jobs he brought back to Argentina from Ireland

I would like some concrete examples of the wealth created by the presidency please.

Re read my post. I said a visit to a town by our president. If you want to use your Friday night getting concrete figures, knock yourself out but I was at a function with the president this week and there was thousands spent with local businsses on the visit. Caterers, entertainment, painters etc

enfant terrible

Zebra3 wrote: »

Sexist!!!!!!!!!!



Which that unelected bitch McAlesse failed miserably to do when FF/Greens were raping the taxpayer to throw money at foreign banks. :mad:

True but she's a very nice lady, that's good enough for a massive pension.

Maybe she'll hand it back with the state of our econemy currently.

Mark200

Saila wrote: »

musings wrote: »

eh? Can you elaborate on this please. never heard of that.

if you run for president and you get 1/4 of the quota, basically a certain number of votes far less than needed to be president you get 200,000 euro..just like that, heard it on primetime on thursday. check RTE player.

bonkers!

It's a reimbursment of election expenses. Same thing happens in general elections. The amount is far bigger because the electoral area (and therefore cost) is far bigger. It's a small way of trying to ensure that financial means doesn't dictate the outcome of an election.

Penfailed

musings wrote: »

we are still paying someone €320K per year

Martin McGuinness will do it for less...

Zebra3

enfant terrible wrote: »

True but she's a very nice lady, that's good enough for a massive pension.

Maybe she'll hand it back with the state of our econemy currently.

If by "maybe", you mean "the sell out bitch will keep her shocking pension paid for by us plebs", I agree.

:mad::mad::mad:

Yakult

cryano wrote: »

I think the Nation needs a national mammy that turns up at GAA finals and says well done lads.

The actual job of the President is to keep the government in check

Well a certain somebody made shit of that. :mad: yet does she get much criticism for the person meant to be watching over us?
Waste of money if you ask me, does nothing for the country but open a new building or two during the year.*





* May be a very slight under exaggeration, add another building give or take.

Ruen

Zebra3 wrote: »

If by "maybe", you mean "the sell out bitch will keep her shocking pension paid for by us plebs", I agree.

:mad::mad::mad:

She's done a job for 14 years, that's good enough for a pension proportional to the salary she received in the position. Everybody is entitled to a pension if they worked, even if they happen to have worked in public service.

Sharpshooter

musings wrote: »

After watching the media coverage of the Presidency race so far, I really can't understand how there aren't more questions being asked as to whether we can afford to keep this office.

In the age of Austerity,income levys etc it beggars belief that we are still paying someone €320K per year + free house + state car + expenses to do the work the Attorney General should have done.

To me the office of President is a shameful waste of money and should be consigned to history.

Why is there no meaningful debate about abolishing the office?

Try asking Here, OP.