Don’t hold an election just for the Hall of it
TD says country does not need costly president race
Michael D Higgins with Vietnamese politician Nguyen Thi Kim IRELAND is set to gain two extra MEPS after Brexit.
It was decided following a vote to re-distribute seats in Brussels.
It will bring to 13 the number of Irish MEPS but the constituencies to gain them have yet to be announced.
For years Ireland returned 15 MEPS, but EU enlargement and boundary changes has meant reduced numbers.
The North is set to lose three of its representatives in the European Parliament. THERE is no appetite for an expensive presidential election and no need for a contest as Ireland has a “superb” Head of State, it was claimed yesterday.
Junior Minister John Halligan backed Michael D Higgins after fellow Independent Alliance Minister Finian Mcgrath said he “strongly believes” the 77-yearold should face competition for a second term.
The spending limit in a Presidential election is €750,000 and the amount a candidate can be reimbursed from the State is €200,000.
Mr Halligan said: “I just think that if we don’t need to have an election lets not have an election. It’s the cost to the taxpayer. I personally don’t think the people of Ireland need one. They appear to be happy with President Higgins.
“We shouldn’t have one for the sake of one. And I think it’s inevitable he will make an announcement shortly to say that he’s going to contest or stay on as President.”
Mr Halligan added if Mr Mcgrath found an alternative candidate, he would not be supporting them.
He said: “I can’t support two candidates, that would be undemocratic.”
He told RTE Radio 1’s Today with Miriam O’callaghan: “No I’m not [an establishment man] and I don’t think that this particular president or the presidency is in the ownership of any establishment.
“We’re a vibrant democracy. We’ve consistently had elections on every issue and referendum. That’s the will of the people.
“I had the honour of being with President Higgins in Vietnam and Laos. And I saw how superb, how energetic he was, how vigorous, how vibrant he was. He does a wonderful job.”
The Waterford TD added if there was a General Election soon, Fine Gael and Fianna Fail would not win
a majority.
years – length of a presidential term of office in Ireland
John Halligan