Candidates carrying too much baggage

OVER the past two decades President Mary McAleese and her predecessor Mary Robinson have fulfilled this office with dignity, initiative, diligence, honesty and integrity.

The bar has been raised and a challenging standard now set for the privileged person to replace them.

The real problem with the present campaign is the amount of baggage carried by all candidates. More and more revelations, many unwarranted, and nasty references, too, keep surfacing as each interview, debate or discussion forum progresses.

They detract from the major issues to be discussed in filling the job of President. What a pity Mary Kennedy (Nationwide), Niall Quinn, Michael O’Leary and Brian O’Driscoll were not on this list.

As it now stands, with such a controversial “mixed grill” of candidates, this election result should be based on a straight vote — similar to the opinion polls — proportional representation will not return a true verdict. Failing this, see what name heads the list at Ladbrokes or Paddy Power’s this morning and vote accordingly!

Finally remember, a vote in favour of sneaky undiscussed changes in the Constitution is absolutely unacceptable.

James Gleeson

Thurles

Co Tipperary