The 10th presidency: Candidates should show their hand

ANY appraisal of how the office of President has fared under recent incumbents — and President Higgins too — must come to a positive, warming conclusion.

There has been the odd storm-in-a-monogrammed-teacup and even if Mary Robinson resigned prematurely from the highest office this Republic can confer, Ireland has been well served by at least the last three tenants of the Phoenix Park.

In an era when cynicism overshadows the relationship between the elected and the electors, this happy situation should not be scoffed at.