Posted on 10/01/2004 8:29:30 AM PDT by Murtyo
12:32 Mrs Mary McAleese has been returned to office unopposed for a second seven-year term as President. Her success was officially declared in Dublin's Custom House after the only other contender, Ms Dana Rosemary Scallon, did not secure enough last-minute support before a noon deadline. Mrs McAleese said she was "very proud to have been elected to serve the people of Ireland for the next seven years".
Maybe it's just me, but "The Troubles" in Ireland seem to have considerably quieted down since 9/11...
McAleese to serve second term in office - MORE DETAILS FROM RTE NEWS
01 October 2004 14:31
President Mary McAleese will serve a second term in office having emerged as the only candidate following the close of nominations at midday.
Dana Rosemary Scallon failed to secure the backing of either the required number of local authorities or Oireachtas members to add her name to the ballot paper.
Accepting the declaration, President McAleese said she was proud to be part of a transforming and evolving Ireland.
Wishing her every success, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said she was greatly admired for her warm manner and her shrewd legal mind. He described her as a president for all the people.
After conceding defeat, Dana said she was disappointed, not for herself personally, but for democracy.
Earlier, a Cork plumber failed in a High Court attempt to get more time for Dana to seek a nomination.
Harry Rea told the court that the denial of his rights to vote meant that the country was under a tyranny.
He applied for an injunction to suspend the midday deadline for nominations, but Mr Justice Paul Butler said the correct way of nominating a president was laid down in the constitution.
Later the Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal.
Green TD Ryan disappointed
Green Party TD Eamon Ryan, who had hoped to stand in a presidential election, said he was disappointed that there would not now be a contest, and said he thought President McAleese would share his feelings.
Mr Ryan said the constitutional requirements for entry to the race should be looked at. He said he was sure that there would be a Green candidate in the contest in seven years' time.
Dublin TD Finian McGrath, who was involved in efforts to secure an independent candidate, said two county councils, or ten Oireachtas members or a petition of 10,000 citizens should suffice.
Independent Senator Shane Ross, who signed Dana's nomination papers, said there should have been a contest but that the establishment prevented one.
Senator Ross maintained it was unfair that Dana had to secure four county councils, or 20 Oireachtas members, while the president merely nominated herself.
they've been pretty quiet for about 5 or 6 years.
So is this good or bad?
She said she was proud to be elected? She was elected in the same way the Soviet Politburo was elected. Must be nice to have no opponents.
The true executive is the Taoiseach or Prime Minister. This election was meaningless.
Not much meaning to this. What depresses me about Ireland is that the Irish, faithful to their Church under hundred years of oppression, have sold it for a mess of liberal modernism.
Even in this country the Irish priests, who were the backbone of the Church here, went soft and liberal after Vatican 2. Sure and it's a sad business.
They couldn't get 10,000 signatures for any presidential candidate? Around here, we could get 10,000 signatures to run my cat for Congress, if we wanted to.
Maybe the Irish just aren't into grass-roots democracy.
Sheesh. That was a cinch. You shoulda run!
"or a petition of 10,000 citizens" - not so. it required 4 councils or 20 members of the Oireachtas (congress). There's not mention in the irish constitution of 10,000 signitures - Ireland ain't a US State or Switzerland!!!
I noticed that. There was an election last time, and no one ran against her. It's essentially a figurehead job, little real power. She's the "head of state" as opposed to the "head of government". Most countries separate these roles - a President and a Prime Minister, a King and a Premier, a Queen and a Chancellor, etc. The US and most countries in the Western Hemisphere have a single person - typically a president who is both head of state and head of govt.
Mary McAleese is a practicing Catholic. She has worked with the Catholic Bishops and is pretty conservative. She worked for RTE (Irish TV) News/Current Affairs in the 1970's when the place was essentially a branch office of a group called "the Workers' Party" - you can guess who, it emerged later, was funding them in the 70's and 80's (hit it wasn't CATO Institute) and was a lonely reasonable voice there.
OH, I see, the petition was just a proposed change. I misunderstood the article.
'Tis.
It really makes no difference.
Dana Rosemary Scallan wouldn't have been elected if there was a race, and McAleese would have been returned one way or the other.
As others on this thread have said, the Presidency in Ireland is not like that in the US. It's merely a figurehead role, with some responsibility for keeping an eye on matters involving the Constitution (which can't be changed anyway, without a referendum).
The main political player in Ireland is the Taoiseach (the prime minister).
I know! I wouldn't mind seven years sitting in on my Arus.
(BTW, Arus on Uachtarain is the name of the Irish Presidential home! *L*)
I'm glad to hear it.
There is something very badly wrong with any country that can't have more than one person run for the highest office in their land.
Please translate that for us non-Gaelic speakers.
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