Presidential Election 2025

I would have no issue at all with Steen being on the ballot or participating in the TV debates. I would disagree with many of her viewpoints but still would be relaxed enough about seeing her contest the election.

Spot on. If I could double thank this I would.

Further to Awec's point, that if people wanted to hear from the likes of Steen, they'd elect politicians like Steen - where was she during the local, European and general elections?

Where was Ganley? Where were Dave Quinn or Katie Ascough or Breda O'Brien?

Frankly, its an insult to the electorate that this group of people (institute, organisation, charity, lobby - take your pick) are evidently unwilling to put in the graft over decades to build a political base in lower order elections, yet cry foul when those within the system won't gladly helicopter drop one of their number into the presidential race.

And before someone comes at me making comparisons with Jim Gavin as a parachute candidate, FF went looking for him as a person to embody their values as the already largest elected party of local government and the Oireachtas, so its entirely different to Steen and her hotch potch of randomers.

Except if they get a sympathy nomination from clueless tds they'll get equal weighting to the other 3 (or possibly 4 depending on sinn fein) candidates.

Surely the system as it stands prevents candidates with views on extreme fringes of society from been elected. Nominations also difficult.

He was approached because he's the former manager of the Dublin senior football team.

It would be an interesting poll - what people knew of Gavin before he was anointed by Micheál.

I am a GAA member and supporter and had no idea what Gavin had done outside of football. I wouldn't know because it is of no importance to me what my own county manager did outside of football either.

I'd imagine an awful lot of people had no idea either. So he was definitely picked because of the Dubs link.

Theres usually at least 1 Independent candidate in presidential election. Arch liberal Fintan O'Toole wrote an Irish Tines article arguing that while he wouldnt vote for her, Maria Steen should be allowed to run.

I could be wrong but were there independent candidates before 1997? It looks like 2018 was a bit of an aberration with the 3 dragons and now things are reverting a bit more to the party political norm.

100% true.

Which compounds my earlier point. Where are they to be seen for the hard graft elections, the Councils and the Seanad and the 5th and 6th seats in Dáil Ceantair.

They simply aren't serious about making a difference, only about grandstanding.