It’s no criticism of Mary McAleese to say we need a democratic choice

THERE’s a consensus beginning to develop, and I think it’s condescending, patronising, and maybe even a bit dangerous.

You can detect it in large sections of the media and in a good deal of the political establishment. It is that there's no need for a presidential election this year, provided that President McAleese is willing to accept a second term. And the consensus, as well as being all the things I've already mentioned, is totally wrong.

"Hasn't she been a great president?"