The hard-working ‘early risers’ made voices heard

SO MICHAEL D Higgins returns to the Áras with a strong mandate but a tarnished reputation. He will have to double down on his efforts over the next seven years to ensure his legacy is not that of the Learjet president.

Peter Casey’s 23pc of the vote represents a real shift in Irish politics. It is indicative that the electorate, and in particular those who “get up early in the morning”, have had enough of the sense of entitlement of some elements in society. It is unfortunate for the Travelling community the focus was on them during the presidential campaign, which was no doubt fuelled by the six empty new houses in Co Tipperary.

(That situation was badly handled by the council. Those houses should have been handed over to the next six candidates on the housing list if the Travellers did not want them and then start again on a greenfield site for accommodation suitable for their needs.)

It is entertaining to see the pundits scratch their heads and land jibes at Sinn Féin.

It is clear the ordinary worker is fed up working hard for little or no return.

Liadh Ní Riada held her own in the debates. She is now a household name and I’m sure we will see more of her. Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael will have to hammer out a deal, pronto, because if an election is called their unholy union will suffer a bloody nose, perhaps a fatal wound.

The presidential election will have consequences beyond the Phoenix Park. Killian Brennan Dublin 17