Presidential Election 2025

He's absolutely not going to.

He has too much unfinished business to give up Taoiseach after 10 months and is too much of a workaholic to want the presidency, it would drive him mad.

He will be Taoiseach until 2027. Currently the deal is a rotation with Harris in December of that year, however the Presidency of the European Council opens up in summer 2027, and may well appeal to him. The incumbent, Costa, has the right to stand again for another 2.5 years, but the Renew Europe block have never had a Council president and Martin is a very senior figure in that group.

Whatever about Robinson, Caoilfhionn Gallagher is exactly as well known among the general public as Mary McAleese was in 1997. Which is to say, not very.

In fact, the only reason McAleese got any sort of a boost in profile at the beginning of her campaign, was when the Fianna Fáil exec, and Bertie, absolutely shafted and humiliated Albert Reynolds at the selection, and picked her instead.

But look at it this way. Lets say FG pick McGuinness and FF pick Mary Hanafin. SF are going to go their own way, and my money is between Michelle O'Neill and Conor Murphy for that.

That leaves the remaining leftist parties an opening to do another 'Robinson', and nominate Gallagher, who has an exceptional track record on human and civil rights and is currently the State's Special Rapporteur for Children.

FF, FG and SF only have about 20% each of the first preferences these days, and a big cohort don't wish to vote for any of them, ever. Which means, a person like Gallagher, not only a distinguished legal mind with zero Party baggage, but forthright advocate for those things so many Irish people hold dear - fairness, equity, due process, compassion - would be a huge magnet for votes, and would attract a huge transfer from those who will vote a Party No.1 but still be impressed by her CV.

I've said for months I thought Mairéad McGuinness would stroll home, but if the above scenario is plays out, she is there to be beaten.

I would've thought being mild-mannered would be a positive quality in the context of the role of President. It's also an advantage in the unseemly car crash of a televised debate. I remember Michael D. Higgins sort of sat back and quietly let them all destroy each other in 2011. Even more so during the 2018 election debates, when he (quite rightly) didn't dignify the clown show with his presence.

Catherine Connolly is probably the closest we'll get to a continuation of the current hugely popular president. Very dignified, principled politician. Like Michael D, it's hard to imagine any decent person disliking her.

Catherine Connolly has her baggage.She is a mediocre local politician and then there is the question of her stance on Ukraine and Syria,there's also questions over her Co opting her sister to Galway CC.

Besides all that I still like her,so I can still claim to be a decent sort😀 it's just that I don't think she'd make a good president and I think we should try to elect yhe best candidate for the sake of the country and the office of president.

The only person who thinks she is electable is herself, she's an egotistical narcissist.

Shatter couldn't get nominated after his years of outburts.

+1 to that. Saw her at close range over a week, a few years ago and my god, the sense of superiority and entitlement emanates off of her.

Shatter has shown himself to have absolutely none of the qualities required to be a good president.

You're right about Aubrey McCarthy. He's another Joan Freeman. Someone for whom being the Billy Big Balls at a minor charity in the social sector has given him the idea that it ideally qualifies him to be Head of State, first citizen, and guardian of the Constitution.

Aubrey, if you're out there, I'm here to tell you it does not.

Opinions differ don’t they?

Arent Micheal Martin and Mary Hannafin both Opus Dei? if the calls comes from somewhere higher, it may not be Martins choice.

Are you just making this up?

Never heard this about either of them, when googling it related to hanafin all I found was vague accusations similar to your post and nothing regarding martin. With no concrete evidence its a wild claim to make.