Finian McGrath: We need a presidential vote to avoid system going stale

Several people are considering contesting the presidency but need to declare their intentions in the coming weeks, Disabilities Minister Finian McGrath says.

A contest is needed, he said, to stop the political system going “stale” even though Mr McGrath believes president Michael D Higgins is a “rock ‘n’ roller”.

In an interview with the Irish Examiner, the Independent Alliance TD says the next president should reflect the radical change in Irish society over the last few years and be “fresh and energetic”. McGrath has said President Higgins should not be given a free run for a second term when his seven-year period at Áras an Uachtaráin finishes in October.