Scrap the poll so Michael D can stay in job

THERE is a lot of talk in the media about the forthcoming presidential election and whether President Michael D Higgins should run again despite having said previously that he would only serve one term.

Surely the man is entitled to change his mind.

Now I have no great grá for any of the mainstream political parties or their members, who are mainly in it for their own enrichment.

However, the country must examine the performance of the present incumbent, Michael D, over the last seven years.

As an observer over that period I was greatly surprised at the dignity he brought to the office with his very eloquent speeches and the statesmanship he brought with him wherever he went.

He is highly respected throughout the world wherever he goes whether it be developed countries or otherwise.

I sincerely doubt if there is anyone available who could bring such qualities to the office. So, as the saying goes, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

Now instead of spending tens of millions in taxpayers’ money on an election why don’t we do what they did in Australia for the gay marriage referendum? They had a postal vote.

But do we really need an election? I don’t think so. And it is only the ego of other challengers that is creating the need for an election.

Give Michael D a free run and save the country a lot of money and a lot of unnecessary hassle.

JOHN FAIR,

Castlebar, Co. Mayo.

...MR Higgins should step down in light of the fact he had promised to be a one-term president. The people are the ones who will decide who they want for president and not the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar or Fianna Fáil’s Micheál Martin.

Mr Higgins’ decision to announce his intentions just as the Dáil is about to rise for the summer has made life difficult for the potential opponents.

Sinn Féin should make a contest of it with Mary Lou McDonald at the helm and up the polls in the ratings. The party won’t be doing it for no good reason either: the late Martin McGuinness coming in third place last time round in the Presidential contest didn’t do the party’s profile any harm.

The cost of course is an issue but the democratic process requires an election.

Allowing anyone a free run into high office uncontested is not good for politics and a proper contest will provide an opportunity for the people to have their say on what they want this country to be.

NOEL HARRINGTON,

Kinsale, Co. Cork.