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PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE MICHAEL D Higgins has said that he doesn’t see the age difference between he and fellow candidate Seán Gallagher as an issue.
Higgins tops a poll of 500 people in today’s Sunday Independent who were asked who they would give their first preference votes to. Higgins gained 36 per cent of the vote, with Gallagher in second on 29 per cent.
A Sunday Business Post poll meanwhile put Seán Gallagher in the top spot, with 39 per cent of the support.
Speaking on today’s This Week programme on RTÉ Radio One Higgins moved to dismiss paying too much attention to the polls, saying there was a “lot of volatility” in them.
Higgins also said that he has seen significant gains in the younger age group, and has felt the support when he’s been out on the campaign trail.
He said that he thought the idea that Gallagher might be a more successful candidate because of his relative youth and business experience was “insulting to anyone over the age of 60″, and said that the attitude that someone who gives their life to public service is lesser than someone who is relatively new to public life was a “damaging” one.
Higgins said he thinks Ireland needs a healing president with wisdom, judgement, and a background in public service.
He also described as ‘crude’ any talk of him being too old to take up the position at Áras an Uachtaráin.
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Michael D is fine when things are going his way but he doesn’t seem to like to be challenged.His notorious outburst on George Hook’s programme when he used completely inappropriate language on live radio is a case in point.Personally, I find his tendency to recite poetry at the drop of a hat excruciating. Maybe others think it’s great.His age is irrelevant, perhaps even a positive.
He’s much more interesting when he is angry like this! & I’m much more interested in this conversation about the future presidents role than in the raking over the coals of everyone’s past. Hope he stays this annoyed for a bit, we could do with a bit of fighting over the future not the past!
Who is upsetting the hobbit now???
Not me! – I never mess with hobbits!
Age is not a problem Michael D. As long as you are prepared to pay your own funeral expenses. The country cannot afford another state funeral.
That’s nonsense. Every president will die at some stage and every president gets a state funeral. The age of the candidate is irrelevant.
Michael is right the qualities needed in a president but misses the point that the president should be energetic and exhibit strength. None of the candidates are ideal. Gay Mitchell is probably the most suitable on paper but has not been impressive so far.
Aegism is alive and well in this little ‘politically correct’ island of ours and it doesn’t surprise me that it is being ignored by the pc police because it suits them this time!
On Paper mean little. Gay Mitchell has been condesending and at times confrontational. Regardless of what he has on paper he sould at least try and be civil. As for none are ideal, i agree so we must elect the best of them and gay isnt anywhere near this. Im A political and am struggling as to who really is out in front. Michael D is a nice man, but is nice good enough. I dont want a nice head of state, I want a LEADER.
At last Sheelagh something we can both fully agree on. If he is medically fit and well age should not be a reason to deny anyone political office.
I agree Gay Mitchell NEVER
MICHAEL D. m a y b e hm hm hm
DANA NEVER
MARY D OMG WHAT’S TO SAY ONLY NEVER
NORRIS please God NO NEVER
SO WHO HAVE WE LEFT Ah ha Martin yes a very superb hopeful
Michael D. Not Convinced
Sean yes another superb hopeful
Some might call it ageism I call it profiling and freedom of choice. While some may think he is too old, he does have many other things going for him. Others may think SG is too young and doesn’t have enough experience behind him. Others may not want another woman and some may not want a gay person in office. It doesn’t really matter the reasons I’m only happy we have the freedom to choose for ourselves without the interference of anyone else.
I don’t see how his age matters.
As well having the characteristics to fit the role he is the only one who has got through this campaign (so far!) with any kind of credibility – no dodgy dealings with Fianna Fail to sit on bank and state boards; no murky family rows about money and alleged sexual abuse; no confusion about letters of resignation from Fianna Fail or clemancy for convicted sexual offenders.
So far so good Michael.
The mind is willing but the body is not able always thought that was self discovery. Michael D retirement is good for the body. Michael D maybe you are insulting all the people aged over sixty who were forced out of work. I did not hear you shout stop when you were in opposition.
What a bunch of crap. Check your facts befoe you spout your self righteous ráiméis
“Higgins said he thinks Ireland needs a healing president with……..a background in public service.” Meta Message: if you’ve experience of actually doing an honest days work in your life then that should be you out of he equation. Nice one Michael and unlike you I won’t claim to be insulted. FTR, I’ve no time for Gallagher either.
Anybody doubting that Michael has the energy/enthusiasm required for the job need look no further than the video footage of the spunout.ie debate. Complete with thumping fists.
Did anyone involved in any of the campaigns actually raise this issue? Or is it all contrived to get attention, such as the solo run he got on the 6pm Radio One News this evening?
Drafted double-posts, must be my age!
Non of the other candidates dared to raise such an issue! Would they? In the midst of all the other goings on! It is a valid point though, and one that should be addressed so that he can show that he has the energy and intellect to do the job that people are to consider him for. In a country beset by the results of cronyism, self interest and greed he is looking pretty much the man for the job – so far.
Did anyone involved in the campaign actually raise the issue of Michael D.’s age or is it just a bit of politicking on his part, an opportunity for his pals in Montrose to give him a solo run on the News ( Radio One, 6pm anyway)?
Find myself agreeing with Higgins on this issue. So far the media have reacted to the Presidential campaign as if it were a low budget offshoot of ‘I’m a celebrity, get me out of here’. It has been pitiful at times to listen to media commentary which often amounts to little more than what judges might scribble on a cigarette box at a Butlins beauty contest. Whatever about Higgins poorly disguised sense of intellectual superiority, when it comes to political experience and gravitas he towers by at least a good head and shoulders over Gallagher.
berlusconi is 76… so wht?? Michael D. may not be a perfect president but look at the others, fundamentalist Dana n Mitchell,? black horse of FF Gallagher or Norris with scandals? Michael D. is the best candidate at the moment…
If I said he should retire. That he is well passed retirement age. I might be called ageist. (old people are ageist too).
He should be enjoying his last years. Does he need the money? I’m sure he doesn’t. He must have a sad life outside politics.
The only person with the gravitas to be president is Martin McGuinness. The rest are either too emotional or too right wing. I’m not a Sinn Fein supporter , I just think its time to consign the past.
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