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ONE OF THE politicians being floated as a potential presidential nominee says she feels it is more likely than not that there will be a contest later this year.
Fine Gael’s Mairead McGuinness stopped short of saying she would run herself but has said it is looking increasingly likely that President Michael D Higgins would face a challenge if he decides to seek a second term.
Upon securing the office in 2011, President Higgins said he would not seek a second term but more recently he has refused to state his intentions, prompting speculation that he is considering a u-turn to stay in Áras an Úachtaráin for another seven years.
Independent Senator Gerard Craughwell has been clear about his interest in the position and this week called on the political parties to state whether they would field candidates.
It is Craughwell’s insistence in keeping the issue live that has led McGuinness into saying that she believes there will be a contest.
“My instinct is there is likely to be a contest, and I say that on the basis that I don’t think Senator Craughwell will pull back from his position,” McGuinness told the Saturday with Claire Byrne programme this afternoon.
McGuinness sought Fine Gael’s nomination for the presidency in 2011 but lost out to Gay Mitchell. Asked about whether she would be interested in running again, the current MEP did not rule it out.
If there is a contest the political parties will have to have a conversation about what they’re going to do. The fact that I put myself forward for the nomination the last time round clearly shows that I have an interest, at that time. At the moment I’m first vice president of the European Parliament, Brexit is big issue that I’m working on so I would have to look at this.
“But I would really be guided by the party and what is the party’s decision and the councillors and TDs and Senators,” she added.
When it was put to her that it sounded like she was steeling for a run , she said she would also like to hear what the other parties were thinking.
“I actually didn’t say that but that’s an interpretation, but I’d be interested to know would Miriam O’Callaghan be interested,” McGuinness said.
It’s long been speculated that RTÉ presenter O’Callaghan would consider a tilt at the highest office in the State and that she may have the support of Fianna Fáil if she were to do so.
Speaking on the same programme, Fianna Fáil TD Timmy Dooley said his party had not taken a decision on whether it would field a candidate. This despite a recent poll showing overwhelming support among party councillors that they run a candidate.
“That’ll be taken into account in due course as will the wider membership of the party. Councillors are being treated with the respect they deserve for the hard work they do across all political parties but there’s been no decision whatsoever. There will be a discussion at a later stage and I suspect that will come as soon as the current president sets out his stall,” Dooley said.
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I wounder what do Facebook employees do to waste time at work?
A friend worked for Facebook in Dublin she brought me in for the grand tour. It’s amazing. The facilities are out of this world for staff. The restaurant is award winning serving 4 meals per day, they have games stations for xbox etc, a room top garden, a barrista which does all quirky kind of coffees. Relaxation rooms, plates studios, a room take your own 3D wooden signs, music room, even a crafts are for knitting etc. I wonder when they get time to work. They seem to really look after their staff really well. I came out wondering if they got much time to work. They even had a big candy cart full of all sorts of sugary treats. (Reply to John Joe)
Oh no, the “I deleted Facebook and I love it” brigade won’t be happy about this.
But but but it’s the best thing they ever did.
Agree Chief, I have real friends who I contact rather than 500 whose only interaction is through a website…..
I left fb 8 months ago & it was the best decision ever. I have enough problems and drama in my own life without being subjected to that of all my fb “friends”. It was kind of taking over my life to be honest & I realised that was unfair to my family and the REAL friends I have. I do miss being in day to day contact with relatives abroad but with email & cheap phone calls that’s not such a big problem to be honest.
U seem bitter at everyone else for ur own addiction karol.
Aside from that these figures are fake id say from facebook, i know tones of people who hardly use it anymore.
You’re my hero Mike. Do you want a medal?
Oooh… They have the Internet on computers now…!
Well I’m not one of them thankfully
And they’re tracking your every move…
1.5 billion! That’s a lot of stalkers in the world.
Tried to deactivate my account the other day. Physically impossible.
Log into your facebook.
Click this link: https://www.facebook.com/settings?tab=security
Then click “deactivate your account”.
It’s not all that difficult in fairness.
The ould boastbook.
Eventually we will all be singing for biscuits, I mean “likes, stars, hearts or whatever you get for your social media vice. “We are the Borg! You will be assimilated… Eventually!”
Facebook is a bit like Coke A Cola or McDonalds, popular because people are easily addictive to well advertised products.
Is this the new snapchat?
I browsed binoculars recently on GOOGLE. (Note the emphasis). What do i get the next day on facebook as a suggested post? Binoculars from Zeiss. Habicht no less!! . Have google and facebook got a thing going on!? We dont know the half of it. Orwellian prophecy.
Far as i know, when you have one site, such as Facebook, open, your data on the other sites, such as youtube and other searches can be accessed by them.
have your say