Presidential Election 2025

Jack Daw · 24-10-2025 04:00PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123934001#Comment_123934001

Not seriously though, the other 2 did at least make an effort and sought nominations.

Also we had a load of nonsense candidates the last time around with half of dragons den on it, why were Steen or Sheridan any different to them?

It was just a blatant attempt by the established political parties to keep anyone from outside their circle out of the race, it's supposed to be a democracy let the people of Ireland decide not the inner circle of the various political parties.

Dr Robert · 24-10-2025 04:02PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123933911#Comment_123933911

That's some next level anxiety stuff you're posting. Stay safe.

PixelCrafter · 24-10-2025 04:05PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123934016#Comment_123934016

Did you actually read my post (which you quoted) or just go off on a tangental rant? I didn't say our position was particularly realistic and actually pointed out that we haven't been taking our own defence seriously (within the context of our neutrality). Yes, we've vulnerabilities, but we also are highly unlikely to be able to fill any of those gaps in our defences other than with ad hoc cooperation with the neighbours, which is basically what we do. I mean for Ireland to have a credible naval defence could take 20+ years.

Also on that vast array of cables - most of them actually connect to the UK and continental Europe, and go on to run for thousands of unprotected km, with in access of robotic subs and all sorts of things, beyond our exclusive economic zone and waters too.

It's well outside the scope of the Irish presidency tbh too - all of this stuff is a matter of government policy and government policy is where our current positions came from.

blanch152 · 24-10-2025 04:13PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123934020#Comment_123934020

Sinn Fein, Labour, PBP, and the SDs had enough spare votes between them to nominate at least two of those candidates.

PixelCrafter · 24-10-2025 04:20PM

Nobody wanted to lose active TDs either, particularly not in the smaller parties. I think Holly Cairns, for example, would have probably sailed into the park and ensured a way more high quality and energetic campaign happened, but she'd be lost to the Dáil then and she's a solidly performing TD.

Likewise, Sinn Féin's potential candidates all seemed to be quite high profile TDs.

Labour was obviously not entirely unanimous on the idea of backing CC. I mean, their own leader could have made a really good run - could absolutely see Ivana Bacik in that role - very much in the Robinson style mode, but they'd have lost a strong TD.

The reality of it is it's a very long term (7 years) and seems to be an exit from politics - you're not really going to come back to electoral politics after that, it'll either be a second run or a move off to something more above and beyond politics.

mikep · 24-10-2025 04:24PM

Just back from polling station.

Voted HH 1, through gritted teeth.. no 2nd or 3rd pref.

Many elderly there to vote and from the sheet of names at the booth I voted at, very few were crossed out so turnout looking low in Thurles.

PopePalpatine · 24-10-2025 04:25PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123933723#Comment_123933723

We've better things to do than stroke the ego of some van arsonist.

markodaly · 24-10-2025 04:34PM

It looks at this stage that this will be the lowest turnout for a Presidential election in our state's history.

2018 was a bit of an outlier, given that Michael D was the incumbent and was really unbeatable.

That turnout was approximately 43.9%
But this, given that there was no incumbent, is going to be worse, and a lot worse.

We won't break 40%, and at this hour, it looks like we may struggle to break 30% (I think we will myself)

Of that number, we will have a large % that is going to vote for a candidate that has not even contested the election.
Another sizable number are going to deliberately spoil their votes.

Democracy isn't in a good state in this country.

Markus Antonius · 24-10-2025 04:39PM

My vote will purely be to block JG from getting FF their 12.5% and thus the election expenses back.

PixelCrafter · 24-10-2025 04:54PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123934127#Comment_123934127

I don't agree that democracy is not in a good state - when you look across Ireland's performance in general elections and also referenda where people are engaged, it's a very healthy democracy.

What's annoyed me about this election and the last general election too has been this sense that it's being rushed through at huge speed as if it's just a formality to be gotten over with. I think that's coming from FG - they love this 'snap election' vibe and rushed campaign.

People should have been preparing their presidential runs months ago too - all the parties seemed to arrive at this with no notion who they were going to run, and a reluctance to go searching for anyone.

Rjd2 · 24-10-2025 04:55PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123934148#Comment_123934148

The stupidest thing is the Gavin vote, sitting at home, spoiling your vote if pissed off I understand, but how exactly are you sending a message of protest by allowing the ruling party in getting their expenses back?🤣

markodaly · 24-10-2025 04:57PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123934197#Comment_123934197

I don't agree that democracy is not in a good state - when you look across Ireland's performance in general elections and also referenda where people are engaged, it's a very healthy democracy.

The majority of the electorate is disengaged. This is absolutely clear.
Our economy is good, and we have jobs and a bit of money, so that is papering over the cracks.

It is going to be an utterly different situation when or if we get into a bad economic cycle, where extremes will target the centre.

Loafing Oaf · 24-10-2025 04:59PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123934197#Comment_123934197

all the parties seemed to arrive at this with no notion who they were going to run

In fairness FG had their first-choice candidate lined up for years. Should they have put more thought into a potental replacement? TBH HH probably looked a decent option before she actually got into the race…

Podge_irl · 24-10-2025 05:01PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123934197#Comment_123934197

The time from an election being called to the election itself is more or less set in law. Everybody knew the presidential election was coming - there is nothing snap about it. If anything FG are the only ones who had prepped in advance but that just went tits up when MmG had to withdraw. I have no idea what everyone else was doing.

Cyclingtourist · 24-10-2025 05:01PM

Anyone seen hoardes of young gaelgoirs queuing up to vote?

astrofool · 24-10-2025 05:21PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123934127#Comment_123934127

It's for a powerless president where the only difference they make is the odd headline when they don't act like a president, low turnout really doesn't matter here, people are, rightfully, not bothered.

awec · 24-10-2025 05:35PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123934276#Comment_123934276

The turnout matters politically because Connolly's tally combined with the turnout gives the government a better understanding of where they are.

If Connolly wins and turnout is good, this implies that FF and FG have a problem as it's likely Connolly picked up voters the government would have been targeting.

If Connolly wins and turnout is poor, then it's likely that centrist voters just stayed at home because while Gavin was a debacle and Humphreys may not have floated their boat, they also didn't like Connolly.

Caquas · 24-10-2025 05:38PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123933770#Comment_123933770

Article 14 only arises in the specified circumstances and the last time it happened for any sustained period was when Mary Robinson jumped ship in 1997. I can't believe CC would self-destruct so dramatically by e.g. flatly refusing to sign a Bill but she will play ducks and drakes with any inconvenient constitutional requirements. Michael D's love letter to the Ayatollahs will look like child's play.

Whatever the theory, in practice the President is answerable to no one - not the Government, nor the Oireachtas nor the Courts. Impeachment requires a two-thirds majority of all Oireachtas members. The mind boggles at the level of outrageous misbehavior that could result in CC being impeached (of course, if Maria Steen was elected next time, a parking ticket would do!)

Standing Orders of the Dáil and of the Seanad effectively bar any discussion of the President.

Standing Order 59 — References to the President “No matter shall be discussed in the Dáil which would involve an improper reference to the President, nor may the conduct of the President be discussed except upon a substantive motion made for that purpose.” I don't think there has ever been a substantive motion of that kind.

The Government has one lever - it can block the President from leaving the country. But it hasn't tried to use that since Haughey v. Robinson.

In the years to come, the Irish people will be astonished by the unaccountable nature of the Presidency.

pureza · 24-10-2025 05:40PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123934276#Comment_123934276

Not strictly powerless

She can refer any legislation she disagrees with to the Supreme Court even if it’s patently constitutional and snarl up lawmaking if she wants

That power is there but unlikely to be used in such a flagrantly abusive way

tinytobe · 24-10-2025 05:52PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123934301#Comment_123934301

Connolly would be another politician after Michael D. whom I can't make neither head nor tail. Another extreme leftie in bed with the Palestinians who thinks that Hitler's on the march in Germany.

They are all a far cry from and no match to Mary McAleese or Mary Robinson.

sligeach · 24-10-2025 05:54PM

I tried taking a photo of my ballot paper, but was pulled up immediately and told you can't do that. So I deleted the photo.

I should have asked her why I couldn't. But I was in a rush. Does anyone know if this is true, and if so why not? It's my vote and my ballot paper. I've seen a load of photos of people's ballot paper on social media, some quiet funny. Where some people have written all over it, I'm sure they weren't told they couldn't do that.

Dr Robert · 24-10-2025 05:55PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123934301#Comment_123934301

Either way it won't matter a jot. The next GL doesn't have to be held until early 2030.

People don't strickly follow their usual party in the presidential election I've found. It's a popularity contest for a ceremonial role. The turnout will speak volumes about its importance to people.

Cyclingtourist · 24-10-2025 06:07PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123934336#Comment_123934336

If you’d listened to Morning Ireland you would have heard it’s an offence to photograph your ballot.

I didn’t know it till I heard but not something I’d think of doing anyway.

Social media. 🙄

Oscar_Madison · 24-10-2025 06:17PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123934336#Comment_123934336

“I tried taking a photo of my ballot paper, but was pulled up immediately and told you can't do that. So I deleted the photo.”

Jesus wept

sligeach · 24-10-2025 06:19PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123934360#Comment_123934360

I didn't know that. But why is it an offence?

creedp · 24-10-2025 06:20PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123934336#Comment_123934336

I’ve no idea why people seem compelled to take photos of mundane stuff to upload online but what makes people happy.
Anytime I voted I was in a ‘stall’ obscured visually from others so no problem taking a photo even if you have to clear a stubborn frog from your throat to coincide with the camera click.

breezy1985 · 24-10-2025 06:26PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123934336#Comment_123934336

No recordings allowed in a place of private voting.

Pretty sure your story is lies though unless you shouted "I am taking a photo"

PixelCrafter · 24-10-2025 06:30PM

Technically illegal to take a photograph of a completed ballot - you can actually be prosecuted for that.

Larbre34 · 24-10-2025 06:31PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123934388#Comment_123934388

Violating the secrecy of the poll is the offence. You must not divulge by word or deed your private preferences, or those of any other person.

That would include telling or showing people by any means what was on your completed ballot, or that of any other voter.

It is not "your" ballot paper, it is a legal instrument of the state and its integrity must be protected.

€1,270 fine if convicted.

corkie · 24-10-2025 06:31PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123934336#Comment_123934336

Some people say we can’t take selfies at polling stations. Is that true?
Yes, it is true. All voting is done by way of secret ballot and the Department of the Environment says “taking photographs and the sharing of any photograph of a ballot paper marked at an election or a referendum could have the potential to compromise the integrity and secrecy of a ballot and may constitute an offence”.
Not only could you void your own vote, you could face a significant fine.
If you want to take pictures of you exercising your democratic right you should do so outside the polling station before or after you have voted.
What about wearing badges to the polling station? Is that allowed? This is not as clear cut but officials at the polling station may ask you to remove any badges or political memorabilia before you cast your ballot. These rules are there to prevent campaigning at polling stations and also mean you cannot canvass people as they go to vote.

https://archive.ph/2N4OC#selection-1461.2-1477.340

Reason's why I didn't even attempt it. Wanted a invalid/spoiled ballot and not a void ballot.

Presidential Election 2025

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