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Taoiseach Leo Varadkar says Michael D Higgins ‘deserves a second term’ pic.twitter.com/NrmGRFQrjp
— TheJournal Politics (@TJ_Politics) July 11, 2018
THE FINE GAEL party is to support Michael D Higgins in his bid for a second term as President of Ireland.
The parliamentary party met this evening to discuss its position on the possible upcoming election in October, and the party has opted to back Higgins. Fianna Fáil has also said it will support the incumbent president.
Speaking at Leinster House this evening, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said that Higgins “deserves a second term”.
He said: “The recommendation we are making today is that the Fine Gael party will support President Higgins’ bid for re-election… We think he has done an excellent job as President.”
Varadkar added he would commit party resources to Higgins’ bid for a second term.
Speaking to reporters earlier today, the Taoiseach said:
“Obviously the decision isn’t a simple one as to whether we are contesting or not contesting the election,” he said, adding: “It’s also a decision as to whether we’re going to actively support one candidate or not.
“If we decide to actively support a candidate that will mean active support, not assisting other candidates and contributing to the campaign in all the ways that you normally do in a national campaign.”
Communications Minister Denis Naughten wouldn’t be drawn on whether or not he will support Higgins.
“That’s something I’ll discuss with my own team. I haven’t had the opportunity to do that yet. I will be doing that over the next few days,” he said.
Independent senators Gerard Craughwell, Pádraig Ó Céidigh and Joan Freeman have all indicated they are interested in throwing their hat in the ring.
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Surely the decision of Michael D deserving of a second term is one for the Irish People?
@David McShite: There will be an election and then you can vote!
And on and on it goes….the cosy cartel
@Frank Dubogovik: i suppose we can hope that an outstanding, very popular independent candidate emerges, who trounces Michael D, which should severely weaken and damage both FF and FG’s popularity among the people, who essentially backed Mickey D, and got it badly wrong. This is what I hope happens. Then they can have their general election, should be fun!
So much for democracy.
@Stephen Burns: If somebody else wants to run let them. Then there will be an election!
@sean o’dhubhghaill: they have to be nominated
@marg fitzgerald: …..by the politicians, who, all the FF, FG and labour ones just said they’re all gonna back higgins, which makes it harder for any one else to get nominated!
@Adrian: Sinn Fein have enough votes to nominate, There are enough independents and members of small parties that can nominate someone together too
No he doesn’t! This is the same little “chap” who signed eviction legislation into law at Christmas without a whimper. No.
@Niall Sheridan: he was Constitutionally obliged to do so on the advice of the Council of State. It is a Presidential duty.
@Niall Sheridan: Common misconception that the President has the power of veto or conscience, he does not. He can simply refer it to the Supreme Court to assess if it is constitutional or not, if the SC deems it so then the President is obliged to sign it or step down. Better he remain to use his authority to pass it onwards, rather than the gombeen who jumps into the vacancy for his own desires.
@Niall Sheridan: You don’t know much about his constitutional powers, do you?
@Paul Laing: Yes a he signed it without uttering one word against it. When on a tour of South America Higgins preached for the eradication of poverty and injustice, the distribution of wealth…the paracite is very quite when it’s on his own doorstep.
@Donal Desmond:
Please explain to us how any action or words by Higgins would have had ANY affect on the legislation involved.
@Donal Desmond: you need to study up on the very limited Constitutional role of the President.
It saddens me to see how some Irish citizens are so poorly informed about how Ireland is governed.
@sean o’dhubhghaill: not sure you should be emphasising ignorance considering from the OP directly above this one, you didn’t seem to know that presidential candidates have to be nominated for election in order to run.
@P.J. Nolan: A a man who proclaimed himself a man of the people a so called left-wing politician all his life he had a moral duty to condem the legislation. He failed to do so. Like the party he belongs to , Higgins is a Traitor .
@Paul Laing: Weren’t the Nazi’s also just doing their duty.
@Link: It just shows how impotent and useless the office of the President really is.
@Denis McClean: silly remark and an insult to the victims of the Holocaust. Obeying a Constiututional duty is different to obeying illegal and inhumane orders. You heard of Godwin’s Law?
“Deserves it”? How exactly does he deserve it? The only way he will deserve it is if he has been democratically elected to the position, however farcical the role is.
@Brian Scott: he was elected on the last occasion and no one better has yet emerged.
@Paul Laing: you’re right we should never have another election, it’s worked great so far for the North Koreans.
@Brian Scott: North Koreans never elected Kim II-sung, So that’s a poor example. Turkey would be a better one, Michael D vs Erdogan, there’s a decent celebrity deathmatch.
@Paul Laing: democracy is about the people deciding if someone is better or not.
@marg fitzgerald: and so it will be.
@Paul Laing:
That is thanks to Higgins not declaring his intentionss until late in the day and also to the decisions of the political parties to back him. So much for democracy.
@Mary King: every dig in the street knew that it was more than probably that Michael D would likely stand for re-election when he did not exclude it as a possibility. His delay did not prevent or obstruct anyone from looking for a nomination.
@Paul Laing: 7 years ago he said he would only take the position for 7 years. Those 7 years are now over. Goodbye leprechaun
I don’t recall hearing this much outcry when Mary McAleese stood unopposed for her 2nd term, who like Michael D was a tremendous ambassador for this country. The man changed his mind, 7 years ago, he felt as though he wouldn’t be suitable or able for a 2nd term and has since reassessed and all power to him. If I t goes to a vote, he will have mine, which he did not last time out!
@Link: nicely said.
@Link: absolutely is a great ambassador for the country an the people will vote him.back in if need be
Anyone but Gerry
@alphanautica: you mean Garry
@alphanautica:
Apart from the fact he has said he doesn’t want it SF tried running a high profile SF candidate last time and couldn’t get beyond the 10-15% support the party has. Where Martin McGinnis was respected enough outside SF that he might have got cross community support, Adams is way too polarising.
SF are looking for someone like Mary McAlease, someone with no party affiliation.
Jobs for the boys as usual
@Tod Curtis: job
@Paddy: Boy.
… when it suits FG and FF as well, who want to save their party money for a general election.
@Adrian:
While I’m not saying that isn’t a factor, who within FF FG could realistically beat Higgins.
FFG are way to pragmatic to put a candidate just for party recognition, which is SF’s real motive
@P.J. Nolan: the party and themselves first. Everybody else is a distant second!
Ah hypocritical Fine Gael – they were jumping up and down calling Mary Lou McDonald’s appointment as leader of Sinn Féin as an anointing and undemocratic. Yet they’re happy not to have an election for the highest office in our Republic. As a Republic we elect our head of state and so we should.
@P Quinn: just wondering who in FG was jumping up and down calling mary Lou’s appointment as leader undemocratic? This time they have just shown their support for Michael D doesn’t mean there won’t be an election.
@Paddy: Noel Rock, Kieran O’Donnell and even Leo himself to name just a few who either spoke to journalists or were on radio complaining about Sinn Féin not having an election for leader.
Shame. Opportunity missed for change.
@mcgoo: why change ? Michael D is proven to be the most successful president ever. Look at his record.
@Ciaran: Honest question (as I think he should stay on). But how would such a statement be Proven?
@Bilbo Baggins: simply by looking at his record.
@Ciaran:
Would like to see the proof of that, can you list the reasons ?
Who would be better than Michael D Higgins?
@Paul Laing: no one, leave him there. Let’s not waste millions on an election for a ceremonial position with no real power.
@Seamus Mac: Then why not abolish the presidency and avoid the waste on future elections so.
@Daniel Donovan: Michael D was elected and he has done a distinguished job as President.
@Daniel Donovan: Would need MASSIVE constitutional change which would mean many referendums.
@Daniel Donovan: in a country this small there would be a good argument for that but it’s nice to have a figurehead to perform certain roles otherwise the Taoiseach would end up doing them & get no work done.
@Paul Laing: I would agree with that Paul. He has done an exemplary job.
@sean o’dhubhghaill:
Why would it need MASSIVE change? Surely it could be no more difficult to do than abolish the senad?
If there was a referendum on abolition of the president position I would vote yes in a heartbeat, that said, there is little chance after the defeat of the senad vote (where I also voted yes). Assuming there is a presidential vote I will probably vote for Higgins even though I have little respect for him.
It’s the cheaper option
Political stitch up
Great to see the Support from Labour, Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil for Michael D.
Real consideration shown to the people of our Country and expressing solidarity with Common Sense.
Michael D. Rocking in the Arús.
So much for democracy – will this country ever ever change? The elite are corrupt to the absolute hilt
Perfect president for Ireland. A leprechaun…
@Jane Alford: open your eyes and look at Michael D’s achievement before and during his presidency instead of resorting to name calling.
What have these three Independents done so far or who are they anyway, I’ve never heard of O’Ceidigh or Freeman, I did see that other lad a few times, but he is a lightweight as well.
@Eugene Comaskey: Craughwell was Anti Repeal of the Eighth Amendment and challenged HPV vaccination. O’Ceidigh was Aer Arainn but I don’t know of any political achievement. Freeman is reputed to be well connected. Only 1 of the 3 can avhieve enough TD nominations.
Maurice macabe for president.
He should be replaced. By anyone but a blueshirt.
While he did a good job think it’s time for him to be replaced
Sean Gallagher needs another shot at the presidency . Surely Sean has a few lies left in him.
@Jimmy jones: I really look forward to Sf candidate being grilled for the names of the army council who will anoint her candidature
Is it reasonable to expect Mr Higgins aged 84 at the end of his term to be competent?
Even Cardinals cant vote in the Papal conclave if they are over 80 and bishops have to retire at 75.
Are the betting agencies offering odds on him seeing out the next term.?
A pointless function which only cost us money but cheaper with him again than a new face trying to jump on the gravy train.
Did Fine Gael ever have a president?
@Conor McNamara:
No.
They came within a whisker of unseating Dev for his second term (can’t remember their candidate’s name) in what was I believe almost a shock at the time. (I wasn’t born!)
@P.J. Nolan: Dev sold this country over to the vatican
@P.J. Nolan: Was it Tom O Higgins?
@Tommy Lennon:
Google agrees with you
He is just a bit old now, isnt he?
I for one am proud of our President even if I don’t have much respect for the office which imho should be eventually dissolved. But to the nd haters here’s something I witnessed first-hand from Michael https://youtu.be/FOxKnsT-XZg
Well just goes to show F.G Labour and F.F care little for the constitution When they said they would not have an election for a president and just keep Higgins there. The constitution clearly states. The Irish President is elected directly by the people of Ireland for a term of 7 years. They may not serve more than 2 terms. It is not up to the likes of F.G Labour and F.F to remove that right . Even if no one was standing against him. We still have a constitutional right to the final say. They got away with it before Because no one challenged the move
What’s another year “Johnny Logan”
Let de Hobbit reign again.
He is Lord of de Rings.
A mighty man.
Well just goes to show F.G Labour and F.F care little for the constitution When they said they would not have an election for a president and just keep Higgins there. The constitution clearly states. The Irish President is elected directly by the people of Ireland for a term of 7 years. They may not serve more than 2 terms. It is not up to the likes of F.G Labour and F.F to remove that right . Even if no one was standing against him. We still have a constitutional right to the final say. They got away with it before Because no one challenged the move Funny how not one news reporter pulled them up on this at all
The fact that that FG support Higgins is a reason to not vote for him. The herd of crony politicians needs to be culled.
Because FF have no vote
Jesus who cares like
@Lambo Moonski: Jesus cares. He supports Michael D.
have your say