We should take the presidency for granted

THERE can be little doubt that our current President, Michael D Higgins, has been a success. His poll numbers have remained consistently high for most of the last six years, bouncing from a low of 48pc up to the mid 70s.

He is also unusual in that he has the almost complete support of the media – print, broadcast and, of course, social – while the average punter on the street either likes him a lot of has no strong feelings one way or the other.

As things stand, and contrary to his 2011 pre-election promise, it now appears more than likely he would accept a second term in office. But with a variety of political parties and individuals currently putting out feelers, there is now an increasingly focused appetite for an election.

There are several impediments to such a move, but they are primarily logistical.

It costs north of €500,000 to run even a vaguely competent presidential campaign and the main parties are more worried about their coffers than the country.

That’s understandable to an extent.

After all, the local and European elections are only eight short months away, while we also must factor in the dreaded prospect of a general election. Party beancounters will be all too aware of the crippling costs of an unnecessary presidential race so soon before the far more important – and expensive – campaigns for these rather more pressing political matters.

But while it is understandable for a political operative to keep their eye on the bigger picture, we the people have a right, indeed a democratic and civic obligation, to decide who will be our president.

Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael were happy to simply rubberstamp another seven years, but Mary Lou McDonald has thrown the cat amongst the pigeons with her assertions that Sinn Féin could, despite their admiration for Mr Higgins, run a rival candidate.

Mr Higgins’s term comes to a conclusion on November 11 and if there is to be an election, it must be announced at least 60 days before that date. This has led some observers to suggest the earliest date we could be going to the polls would be some time in midSeptember – although October is more realistic – should it happen.

It’s widely believed the main concern from the Áras would be whether Mr Higgins would have both the energy for and the interest in extending his role.

That’s a more complex issue for the current incumbent than it ever was for his predecessor, Mary McAleese. After all, if he does secure a second bite of the cherry, he will be 84 when he finally hands over their reins – a point recently made by David Norris, who was promptly condemned for ageism.

But his advancing years may not be of particularly grave concern for the voters. After all, last year’s Amarach Research/‘Claire Byrne Live’ poll revealed 56pc of punters didn’t think his age would be an issue, while a similar poll conducted last year also suggested 75pc of the people would like him to run again.

The phrase ‘run again’ is crucial – because while it appears a majority of voters are happy to see him enjoy a second term, that same majority would also like to see him actually earn it by standing for, and winning, an election.

Presidential campaigns can also be remarkably brutal, cut-throat affairs which would lead a casual observer to think the candidates are running for an office of real executive and legislative power, rather than a job whose main requirements are smiling at dignitaries and not eating with your mouth open at State banquets. B UT if we cast our mind back to the almost farcically vicious campaign of 2011, we can recall Dana being blindsided by allegations about her extended family; Martin McGuinness’s campaign being defined by his weird bickering with Miriam O’Callaghan; David Norris finding some old letters coming back to haunt him; and, perhaps most controversial of all, Seán Gallagher’s run being scuppered when a damning but fake Tweet concerning him was read out during a live TV debate.

While that experience must have been traumatic and bruising for all concerned, the bizarre behaviour by some of the candidates and their supporters should surely have proved that there is, after all, a genuine appetite for a president.

And, as it happens, we already have an intriguing list of potential rivals for Mr Higgins’s crown.

The reliably outspoken Donegal artist Kevin Sharkey has been open about his interest in the job, which would certainly provide a refreshing change to the usual platitudes and clichés.

Sharkey, after all, is in the unusual position of being a black Irishman accused of racism by white Irish people following his comments about foreign aid and immigration, so any campaign he runs would be hugely entertaining, if only for the cognitive dissonance it would cause Irish liberals.

Conservative spotters have recently been looking at Senator Joan Freeman, who has strong links with the pro-life lobby and was endorsed by Mattie McGrath TD, who said that a “good Catholic president would be refreshing”.

Independent Senator Gerard Craughwell has long ploughed a lonely furrow for an election, and he recently showed his teeth when he accused the President of “cute hoor” politics for his vague soundings on a second term.

The Shinners, for all their head start on their rivals, have been talking quietly about Liadh Ní Riada, a senator probably best known for her claim that the IRA’s countless atrocities shouldn’t be seen as “terrorism”.

Of course, there would be the usual beige insiders such as Mairead McGuinness and Fergus Finlay, who could promise to be a safe pair of hands, if nothing else.

Let’s be honest, you could start selling tickets now for a debate between those diverse and somewhat eccentric figures and while we may try to pretend otherwise, the Irish are as fond of an old fashioned, hard-tackling election campaign as anyone else.

Some of us may want the current President to stay for a second term, some of us may not. But regardless of our differences, we all deserve to have our voices heard at the polls.

After all, if we can’t be bothered voting for the office, then we should just admit there is no point in retaining it.