People caring about who the next President will be

longhalloween · 25-10-2011 04:45PM #1

Has anyone realised yet that it doesn't MATTER who the next president will be?

All they have to do is meet the odd foreign dignitary, go to GAA games, turn a sod, cut a ribbon, meet old people and kiss babies.
THAT'S IT!

So it doesn't make a blind bit of difference who gets in. The president does what they're told, end of. Any decision they make has to be approved by the government, any real work* is done by the Taoiseach and ministers.

It's purely a symbolic office, the same as the monarchy in England, so to all those saying the Gallagher is going to bring jobs, McGuinness is going to unite Ireland, Norris is going to legalise gay marriage, it's all pure sh1te.

the term 'real work' may not actually refer to real work

Minstrel27 · 25-10-2011 04:46PM

I'd be unhappy to see some of the candidates getting that job.

Kasabian · 25-10-2011 04:47PM

Op are you aware we have a constitution?

orourkeda · 25-10-2011 04:47PM

longhalloween wrote: »

Has anyone realised yet that it doesn't MATTER who the next president will be?

All they have to do is meet the odd foreign dignitary, go to GAA games, turn a sod, cut a ribbon, meet old people and kiss babies.
THAT'S IT!

So it doesn't make a blind bit of difference who gets in. The president does what they're told, end of. Any decision they make has to be approved by the government, any real work* is done by the Taoiseach and ministers.

It's purely a symbolic office, the same as the monarchy in England, so to all those saying the Gallagher is going to bring jobs, McGuinness is going to unite Ireland, Norris is going to legalise gay marriage, it's all pure sh1te.

the term 'real work' may not actually refer to real work

No it isn't

hondasam · 25-10-2011 04:48PM

We still need a good person to represent Ireland.

DublinWriter · 25-10-2011 04:48PM

orourkeda wrote: »

No it is'nt

Only in so much as our President doesn't wear a crown.

orourkeda · 25-10-2011 04:49PM

longhalloween wrote: »

Has anyone realised yet that it doesn't MATTER who the next president will be?

All they have to do is meet the odd foreign dignitary, go to GAA games, turn a sod, cut a ribbon, meet old people and kiss babies.
THAT'S IT!

So it doesn't make a blind bit of difference who gets in. The president does what they're told, end of. Any decision they make has to be approved by the government, any real work* is done by the Taoiseach and ministers.

It's purely a symbolic office, the same as the monarchy in England, so to all those saying the Gallagher is going to bring jobs, McGuinness is going to unite Ireland, Norris is going to legalise gay marriage, it's all pure sh1te.

the term 'real work' may not actually refer to real work

Another well informed view on the presidency.

CiaranC · 25-10-2011 04:49PM

The really unfortunate thing is that simpletons like the OP get a vote just like the rest of us

--Kaiser-- · 25-10-2011 04:49PM

It's all about who will be the least embarrassing President

Orando Broom · 25-10-2011 04:50PM

OP is proof that Sean Gallagher voters exist!

Jesus, some serious heads out there.

orourkeda · 25-10-2011 04:50PM

DublinWriter wrote: »

Only in so much as our President doesn't wear a crown.

My word

Kasabian · 25-10-2011 04:52PM

hondasam wrote: »

We still need a good person to represent Ireland.

I'll do it.

Yakult · 25-10-2011 04:52PM

orourkeda wrote: »

Another well informed view on the presidency.

Inform us from up there oh mighty sirrrrrrrrrrrrr!

Chuck Stone · 25-10-2011 04:53PM

A.B.Dana.

Saila · 25-10-2011 04:53PM

just let the current one keep it for another term, I know shes had her time but she did a grand job

hondasam · 25-10-2011 04:54PM

Kasabian wrote: »

I'll do it.

Will you really, how much?

hondasam · 25-10-2011 04:54PM

Saila wrote: »

just let the current one keep it for another term, I know shes had her time but she did a grand job

No fcuking way, she has had enough all ready.

orourkeda · 25-10-2011 04:55PM

Yakult wrote: »

Inform us from up there oh mighty sirrrrrrrrrrrrr!

Sarcasm really is the lowest form of wit isn't it?

harrythehat · 25-10-2011 04:55PM

To a small extent I agree.

I think Fine Gael are laughing at the moment - They don't care about the fact that Mitchell isn't going to win because this election has gotten the economy off the headlines for weeks.

My vote would be going to MDH, but I think he, David Norris, Gay Mitchell or Mary Davis would be perfectly competent. I would not like to see McGuinness, Dana or Gallagher in the position.

Kasabian · 25-10-2011 04:56PM

hondasam wrote: »

Will you really, how much?

Are we still talking about representing Ireland?

I will do it for bed and board.

hondasam · 25-10-2011 05:04PM

Kasabian wrote: »

Are we still talking about representing Ireland?

I will do it for bed and board.

Bed and board it is

longhalloween · 25-10-2011 05:04PM

harrythehat wrote: »

To a small extent I agree.

I think Fine Gael are laughing at the moment - They don't care about the fact that Mitchell isn't going to win because this election has gotten the economy off the headlines for weeks.

And why would they even care who wins, anything the President says or does has to get the go ahead from Fine Gael/Labour first. It doesn't matter who gets in, if it is Mitchell it's just easier to pull his strings.

From citizensinformation.ie

The Government must approve all Presidential communications, messages or addresses, both to the Oireachtas (Irish houses of Parliament) and to the public.

Many of the powers of the President can only be exercised on the advice of the Government. This means that if the President wishes to exercise a power, he or she must first obtain the advice and agreement of the Government.

RubyRoss · 25-10-2011 05:09PM

Saila wrote: »

just let the current one keep it for another term, I know shes had her time but she did a grand job

This is a prevalent sentiment but people seem to forget that Mary McAleese has made some outrageous statments - comparing Unionists to Nazis was simply embarassing (bridge building?) and her stand-off with the heads of the Catholic and Protestant churches about taking communion was pretty undignified.

She did a great job during the Queen's visit but it's typical in Ireland to either idolise or demonise. She belongs in the middle.

orourkeda · 25-10-2011 05:14PM

RubyRoss wrote: »

This is a prevalent sentiment but people seem to forget that Mary McAleese has made some outrageous statments - comparing Unionists to Nazis was simply embarassing (bridge building?) and her stand-off with the heads of the Catholic and Protestant churches about taking communion was pretty undignified.

She did a great job during the Queen's visit but it's typical in Ireland to either idolise or demonise. She belongs in the middle.

There are very few politicians that can claim to have exemplary records in this manner. While one cant really condone comments like the ones you mention they were the exceptions rather than the rule.I thought she performed her duties with great dignity for the vast vast majority of her tenure in office.

foxyboxer · 25-10-2011 05:17PM

What exactly does the President do that a minister can't do?

Meet foreign dignitaries? Minister for Foreign Affairs.
Turn a Sod? Minister for Agriculture.
Kiss Babies? Minister for Children.
Create Employment? Department of Jobs, Enterpriseand Innovation, Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment.

And what's the story with all the debates? The US only have 3 debates normally. Whereas we have had 5 FFS.
I guess, the whole thing fills the news and papers. When it's all over it's back to saving the euro etc etc.

KTRIC · 25-10-2011 05:20PM

longhalloween wrote: »

Has anyone realised yet that it doesn't MATTER who the next president will be?

All they have to do is meet the odd foreign dignitary, go to GAA games, turn a sod, cut a ribbon, meet old people and kiss babies.
THAT'S IT!

So it doesn't make a blind bit of difference who gets in. The president does what they're told, end of. Any decision they make has to be approved by the government, any real work* is done by the Taoiseach and ministers.

It's purely a symbolic office, the same as the monarchy in England, so to all those saying the Gallagher is going to bring jobs, McGuinness is going to unite Ireland, Norris is going to legalise gay marriage, it's all pure sh1te.

the term 'real work' may not actually refer to real work

Do you mean shoot the odd foreign dignitary, steal some sod and molest some babies ?? It'd fit in well with some of the candidates that are in the running.

foxyboxer · 25-10-2011 05:21PM

Kasabian wrote: »

Op are you aware we have a constitution?

A constitution can be amended.
Maybe they should have included an option of "I do not want a President" on the ballot paper. :pac:

Mint Sauce · 25-10-2011 05:24PM

foxyboxer wrote: »

A constitution can be amended.
Maybe they should have included an option of "I do not want a President" on the ballot paper. :pac:

Or make your own box, with none of the above written beside it.

orourkeda · 25-10-2011 05:36PM

KTRIC wrote: »

Do you mean shoot the odd foreign dignitary, steal some sod and molest some babies ?? It'd fit in well with some of the candidates that are in the running.

Do you think its really necessary to castigate some of the candidates as child molesters?

orourkeda · 25-10-2011 05:38PM

foxyboxer wrote: »

A constitution can be amended.
Maybe they should have included an option of "I do not want a President" on the ballot paper. :pac:

Why would you turn and vote for "I do not want a president" when staying at home or abstaining serves the same purpose

orourkeda · 25-10-2011 05:40PM

foxyboxer wrote: »

What exactly does the President do that a minister can't do?

Meet foreign dignitaries? Minister for Foreign Affairs.
Turn a Sod? Minister for Agriculture.
Kiss Babies? Minister for Children.
Create Employment? Department of Jobs, Enterpriseand Innovation, Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment.

And what's the story with all the debates? The US only have 3 debates normally. Whereas we have had 5 FFS.
I guess, the whole thing fills the news and papers. When it's all over it's back to saving the euro etc etc.

They only have two candidates.

People caring about who the next President will be

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