MICHAEL D-DAY
HIGGINS A CERT FOR 7 MORE YEARS AS PRESIDENT
JUST half of voters are expected to decide whether to give Michael D Higgins another seven years in the Aras today.
And barring a massive upset, the former Labour minister is set for a landslide victory and a second term in Phoenix Park.
He is likely to weather the storm over the unexplained €317,000 allowance handed to his office every year – and his four trips on the Government jet which cost taxpayers €36,000.
The country will have its say in polling booths across Ireland between 7am and 10pm.
But while more than 3.2 million people are registered to vote some experts are predicting the turnout may slump below 50%. Earlier this week Labour leader Brendan Howlin said he believes there is “a danger” less than half will go to the ballot box.
And a leading bookie believes it is essentially a coin toss regarding the turnout.
Lawrence Lyons of Boylesports said: “The perceived inevitability of the outcome is attracting plenty of traffic in the direction of a low turnout and the money has been split at 11/10 apiece on whether it will fall just below or just above the 50% mark.”
Boylesports have it at 11/10 the figure comes in between 40-49.99% but there has also been more money at 5/1 for the turnout to fall below 40% than there has been for it to breach the 60% mark (16/1).
Mr Higgins was elected in 2011 after 56.1% cast a vote.
The 77-year-old’s odds on winning have drifted in the 48 hours leading up the vote, however, he remains a hot favourite at 1/20 having been shorter at 1/40 and 1/33 earlier in the week. Tory Island off Co Donegal The late drift came after the final TV debates which saw a late rush in support for Peter, who not only closed into an odds-on 1/2 from 9/4 to finish second behind Mr Higgins, but also went from 20/1 into 10/1 to win the election outright.
Speaking on the outcome of the presidential race, Mr Lyons said: “There has been a late bit of money for Peter Casey but at 1/20 it’s going to take a major surprise to see anyone other than Michael D Higgins emerge victorious.”
There is traditionally an 8% to 20% fall-off in turnout in presidential polls here when compared to the previous General Election. Yesterday, however,
islanders started the ball rolling when ballot boxes were opened off the coast of counties Donegal, Mayo and Galway.
They traditionally vote a day before the rest of the country to ensure there is no delay in transferring them to the mainland in time for votes to be counted. A total of 2,601 islanders were eligible to vote yesterday.
Around 460 live off the coast of Cork, but they will vote today.
Fianna Fail’s Galway West TD Eamon O Cuiv said he was confident this election would be the last time those living off the coast had to have their say on a different day than the rest of the country. He added: “As a consequence of transport difficulties and the impact of adverse weather on these services, islanders have historically cast their vote up to three days ahead of the general populace.
“However, we have improved transport services and therefore this is no longer a valid reason for non-polling day voting.” Mr O Cuiv said this arrangement had proved “very unfair” to residents because it meant they typically missed out on the final days of election campaigns.
Mairead Mcsuibhne from Gola Island said on Six One RTE news: “We are very small around here off the Donegal coast but I think it’s very important to vote and have our voice heard.”
Six candidates are vying for the highest office in the state.
They are incumbent President Michael D Higgins, Senator Joan Freeman, Sinn Fein MEP Liadh Ni Riada and three stars of RTE’S Dragons’ Den – Sean Gallagher, Gavin Duffy and Peter Casey.
The electorate will also be asked on the ballot paper whether they want to remove the word “blasphemous” from the constitution.