President Connolly

 but it also meant a whole lot of being told where to go, where to stand, when to speak, stuff like that.

Is this for real?

Do you genuinely believe she resents conforming to the requirements of a formal ceremony, or that it compromises her in some way?

She has spent a lifetime working within the constraints of local authorities and the Dáil, I don't see it presenting an issue at all.
When she speaks she will pick her time and ensure she will be heard.

I'm just waiting to hear her first few speeches in the role as president in whatever context she at an event and how far she will push the envelope and go off topic as to what she is attending to delve into the political realm.

Didn't you say "inauguration of a dangerous socialist as president" just yesterday?

Glad you're seeing that your stance is now hyperbolic.

A guarantor of democracy, what exactly do you mean by that?

She was elected as president and in her election campaign she made many anti European country speeches on defence policies, also against the US and UK. She was very critical of them all. These are our economic allies and our by far biggest markets for our success economically. Free speech is a big part of democracy, and as a President, elected with a huge majority of votes, if her speeches were to continue in that vein, she could well be dangerous.

YThats a particularly niche type - school drop out champagne socialists with 600 euro jumpers. Of is it more likey you think you are being smart with a catch all label but have more spectacularly missed the goal than a Mayo corner forward

I think the Irish people were deprived of choice in this election and presented in the end with two poor candidates so most people didn't vote.

I find her views to be embarrassing personally but as long as she doesn't make a complete show of us then that would be OK with me.

The constitution was followed to the letter, so the question of deprivation doesn't arise, it simply is what it is.

If parties, or groups of independents, or civil society organisations want to nominate someone, I suggest they do better at general election time and get their ducks in a row quite a lot earlier than September.

Good call Mr D …Far too often we have the left wingers who spring up with the answers to everything.

Not specifically referring to PC here but Keir Starmer types and the the Mayor of NY guy…..promise everything and then sink below the horizon.

Look at the bother Starmer is in now!

Good idea to keep an eye on them.

With the promises of brexit and Trump disappearing based on convenience, I think this is not a left/right issue. Just politicians in general.

 And if she still resists, or is going against the Council of State regularly, we'll have her impeached, if she hasn't resigned in protest first.

And even if it isn't, my guys are in control of both central and local government for the next four years at least, so there's not a whole lot the other side can do anyway.

😂😂 TBH I don’t know whether to laugh or cry! A bit of counselling might help but I’d say it’s far too late

Imagine comparing Starmer and Mamdani as one and the same.

Zero grasp of reality there.

Starmer always campaigned on just not being a Tory. Far from Tony Blair was he and the vote share is reflective of that.

I think the Irish people were deprived of choice in this election and presented in the end with two poor candidates

I'm glad to have found something I can agree with you on. The Irish people were presented with two poor candidates.

Gavin and Humphreys were two poor candidates - appalling candidates actually.

Luckily we also had one excellent candidate. The electorate recognised this, voted for her in great numbers (more than any previous candidate) and in an extremely high percentage, and chose her over the two poor candidates.

Big congratulations to Catherine Connolly.