Presidential Election 2025

JohnDoe2025 · 11-03-2026 10:30AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124301879#Comment_124301879

Any proposal I have seen would result in the emergence of several bizarre fringe candidates.

The current process ensures that does not happen.

Caquas · 11-03-2026 12:37PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124302108#Comment_124302108

Only 7% of voters said the choice of candidates was satisfactory but the problem is all in my head😓

VinLieger · 11-03-2026 12:57PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124303811#Comment_124303811

Okay lets dig into this data.

Firstly you say only 7% were satisfied and 69% unsatisfied while leaving out the 21% who were neither satisfied nor unsatisfied.

It says 52% of respondents said the process for getting on the ballot paper is about right, 30% said it was too hard, 6% too easy and 11% don't know.

So while yes 69% were not satisfied with the candidates 58% also think the process for getting on the ballot should at the very least be left the way it is ergo you are again imagining a problem where none exists at least according to the data you claim supports your argument for the existence of a problem.

Hotblack Desiato · 11-03-2026 01:31PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124303494#Comment_124303494

We got more than enough Dragon's Den and other assorted eejits in the recent past. Councillors have done themselves no favours in that regard. The "I didn't endorse Gemma O'Doherty while voting for her, I did it in the interests of democracy" thing does not wash

Caquas · 12-03-2026 05:51PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124303874#Comment_124303874

So you "dug into the data" - reluctant to accept the shocking fact that only 7% of those polled were satisfied with the choice of candidates on the ballot - but had to fall back on a "cherry-picking" claim and - hey presto! - you found a data point of your own.

You claim that

58% think the process for getting on the ballot should at the very least be left the way it is

Somehow you are not bothered by the huge discrepancy - how can this be true if only 7% were satisfied with the choice of candidates? The answer is that, like so many who mistrust statistics, you misinterpret the poll (in fairness, the Electoral Commission is partly to blame).

The Survey question was:

Q.10 Some people say that it is too easy to get on the ballot paper in a presidential election, while others say that it is too hard. What do you think?

The 52% who thought it was neither too hard nor too easy are described in the slide-deck as saying "The process of getting on the ballot paper is about right". But that's not what they were asked. In fact, 52% of those polled said the process was neither to easy nor to hard. A perfectly reasonable position and anyone who read my posts carefully (i.e. no one here) wouldn't be surprised to hear that I agree. I am not looking to make the process "easier", I just want an end to the unofficial monopoly which the main parties have shown themselves incapable of exercising judiciously. Otherwise, by all means let's make candidates jump through hoops and let's keep the Conor McGregors out.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124303494#Comment_124303494

I've shot this argument down so many times but the zombies keep coming. With the Strawmen!

No one here has:

made a constructive comment on my proposal
made an alternative proposal
addressed the sources of the problem

Worse, and this is the last straw - it never occurred to anyone that all I'm suggesting is a return to the practice of the previous 3 decades.

To adapt a phrase which Churchill never used - the best argument against democratic reform is an online debate on a politics forum.

adaminho · 12-03-2026 05:59PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124307393#Comment_124307393

Yet you are not bothered by the huge discrepancy - how can this be true if only 7% were satisfied with the choice of candidates? Like so many who mistrust statistics, you misinterpret the poll (in fairness, the Electoral Commission is partly to blame).

Because that 7% would exclude the likes of FF and FG voters who didn't like their choice of candidate.

JohnDoe2025 · 12-03-2026 06:01PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124307393#Comment_124307393

The solution to the problem lies in front of you but you do not see it.

You have confirmed that the problem isn't the selection process, it is the way that you see the current elected political parties abusing the selection process. Well, simple then, vote for a different party at the next general election.

Caquas · 12-03-2026 06:06PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124307420#Comment_124307420

Wow, I can't thank you enought!

I had the illusion that change in a democratic system required me to present my proposals and defend them in the public sphere. And I was really discouraged because I was getting no traction with the people here who are so well-informed and opinionated but who offered no constructive suggestions, until you came along!

I hadn't realised I could just go to the ballot box and it would all be sorted!

Thank you so much again and see you on the other side!

JohnDoe2025 · 12-03-2026 06:19PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124307429#Comment_124307429

Delighted to help, but that is how democracy works, if you are not happy with the way that current political parties operate the system, vote in different ones. Leopards don't change their spots, so get a panther.

Caquas · 12-03-2026 07:02PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124307415#Comment_124307415

Wrong

adaminho · 12-03-2026 07:12PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124307592#Comment_124307592

How so? Care to elaborate?

Hotblack Desiato · 13-03-2026 01:55PM

Just because people are disappointed with the outcome of a process on one occasion doesn't mean there is anything wrong with the process.

That's like saying we should change the rules of football because my favourite team lost.

There is no guarantee any voter will have a candidate to their liking in any election.

And it's bizarre and unprecendented (although not grotesque or unbelieveable) that both FG's preferred candidate and FF's chosen one both had to withdraw.

Hotblack Desiato · 15-03-2026 11:29PM

Snip…

RoTelly · 17-03-2026 03:40PM

It's interesting to read the fallout from the Presidential Address. Clearly regardless of your view we have a political president, so remember when you go to vote in the next election vote for someone who represents whatever politics you hold. And don't be dissuaded by the idea of a non-political post or a continuation president.

Yes, she got the highest percentage vote, but it was also the highest record spoilt vote in the history of the State, this is largely what gives her the highest percentage of valid votes.

CramCycle · 17-03-2026 05:33PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124319661#Comment_124319661

What fallout?

RoTelly · 17-03-2026 06:01PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124319896#Comment_124319896

On the one side people saying how wonderful it was and how she represents the people who voted for her and on the other side people saying how she's stepped out side of the presidential role.

Not really a fallout for her.

CramCycle · 17-03-2026 08:18PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124319965#Comment_124319965

What side, most people didn't hear or or didn't care. It got a brief mention in the news, pointed out she done a reasonable job of calling out all sides in regards war, even if some commentators would prefer she.only called out one. There is no fallout bar what lies in the minds of a few people , even here, you are the only person to have even commented.

RoTelly · 17-03-2026 08:42PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124320230#Comment_124320230

I am not following the Presidential thread there might be something there, perhaps not.

I am only commenting on what others have said on Social Media.

One side saying she is saying what her voters want her to say.

The other side saying she's overstepping as president.

I am then referencing this thread and how many say the role is apolitical.

Famous Seamus · 27-03-2026 08:15AM

So MMcG is over her post viral fatigue and back with a nice cushy EU job, it's very hard for me not to be cynical.

I think we might have dodged a bullet there.

Seth Brundle · 27-03-2026 09:17AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124344579#Comment_124344579

As I understand it, it is a minor role and the pay structure reflects that but, hey, you stick with your baseless assumptions, if it makes you feel better According to a 5 second search on Google:

Salary Structure: Remuneration for special advisers is usually based on a limited number of working days per year (approx. 25 on average), with daily fees often calculated at 1/22 of the basic salary of an official in grade AD9, AD10, or AD12.

...and...

As of June 2024, the basic monthly salaries for AD9, AD10, and AD12 grades in EU institutions (such as the European Commission) are as follows:
AD9: Approx. €9,296.39 (Step 1)
AD10: Approx. €10,518.29 (Step 1)
AD12: Approx. €13,464.92 (Step 1)

Podge_irl · 27-03-2026 09:36AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124344652#Comment_124344652

So basically a max of 15k€ is she does the 25 days. Real cushy jobs for the boys number there 🙄

Seth Brundle · 27-03-2026 09:50AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124344691#Comment_124344691

Do the maths again!

=(13464.92*12)/22 = €7344.51 per annum

Podge_irl · 27-03-2026 09:54AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124344723#Comment_124344723

No, it is 13464/22 = daily rate of 612€ * 25 = 15,300€

Famous Seamus · 27-03-2026 10:13AM

So take the new position out of the equation if it makes you feel better, I still think ( as do many others) that she pulled out of the election because she had something to hide, people here were thinking she had something terminal, turned out she hadn't and now she's tickety boo again, come on surely you're not that gullible?

RoTelly · 27-03-2026 10:18AM

At the time, newspapers were aware that she didn't attend an agricultural show in Wexford. Connolly attended and potential expect to meet her rival.

I am sure every politician and journalist know the real reason she dropped out of the presidential race. If you remember when TV3 revealed that the Finance Minister had terminal cancer. Your telling me that none Newspaper wasn't sending their top reports to this fictional Hospital to get photos?

Podge_irl · 27-03-2026 10:21AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124344774#Comment_124344774

Take your entire point out of the equation? Ok, but then are talking conspiratorial nonsense with nothing to back it up.

No one thought she had something terminal and post-viral fatigue can be debilitating and she could easily be in a position to do ad hoc work but not undertake a schedule for President and especially a campaign would have been beyond her.

Famous Seamus · 27-03-2026 10:25AM

So you believe every word that comes out of a politicians mouth? I'd have been one of her biggest supporters up to 6 or 7 months ago but I know when something doesn't smell right.

Seth Brundle · 27-03-2026 10:40AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124344729#Comment_124344729

Apologies, you're correct - I misread the calculation (I was walking at the time)

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124344806#Comment_124344806

Ah stop 🙄

dulpit · 27-03-2026 12:36PM

There isn't always a conspiracy lads...

JohnDoe2025 · 27-03-2026 01:28PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124344852#Comment_124344852

The calculation is based on an annual salary of €161,568, assuming she is paid at the highest rate, €111,556 at the lowest rate.

An Assistant Principal Higher in the civil service maxes out at €112,940.

A Principal Officer Higher scale in the civil service maxes out at €142,120.

An Assistant Secretary in the civil service maxes out at €194,262.

A Minister of State earns €166,098.

On that basis, the salary does not seem unreasonable or anyway out of line.

Presidential Election 2025

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