Presidents come and go, but job is a waste of their time and our money

There is the salary of the president and her staff, the cost of the upkeep of the Áras and its staff, providing the president with a car, a driver, and a police escort car, as well as extravagant pensions for former presidents, and ultimately the cost of their state funerals.

IN THE 35 years following the introduction of the current constitution there were only three presidents. Even historians would be hard-pressed to recall anything of real historical significance involving them.

Douglas Hyde was essentially honoured with the post in recognition of his seminal role in the establishment of the Gaelic League. Shortly after becoming president, however, he suffered an incapacitating stroke and essentially vegetated for the remainder of his seven-year term.