The Presidency has become an extravagance we can no longer afford

THERE has been talk about cutting the size of the Dáil and abolishing the Seanad, but nobody seems to have suggested abolishing the Presidency, which is the single most expensive office. How much could be save by abolishing it?

In fairness Mary McAleese has shown some leadership. She has cut her salary and she has announced that she is cutting her expenses by €40,000 (12.5%).

I did not vote for Mary McAleese when she ran for the Presidency, because even members of the hierarchy were calling her “the bishops’ woman.” After all, she was chosen by the hierarchy to be their spokesperson at the New Ireland Forum in 1984.Any woman that the bishops would pick back then seemed likely to be in their pocket. This was sending the wrong message to the world. Hence I voted one, two and three for the other candidates.