Public opinion proves a strange beast

NOW that Senator Norris has withdrawn from the presidential race, we should be troubled by a number of issues.

The people of Ireland have rightly been absolutely appalled by the horrors inflicted upon the victims of clerical abuse whose feelings were so well represented by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s recent Dáil speech. However, if opinion polls are to be believed, the people of Ireland are overwhelmingly in favour of a man who vociferously defended a convicted child-rapist.

Moreover, as the Office of the President has again been truly opened-up to a democratic election for the first time in 14 years, no great momentum has appeared behind questions as to the reform of the powers of, nomination to, and term of office of the presidency. All of these issues pertain directly to how well a president can serve the people.