Earlier this week the Irish public was informed by its media – with the active connivance of Sinn Fein – that the leader of the opposition, Mary Lou McDonald, is “no longer ruling out” the idea of running for President later this year. Which is strange, because she absolutely should rule it out.
In political terms, Presidential elections in Ireland are of no consequence. The Presidency is a ceremonial office with no practical power, and the most that its holder can possibly be is an annoyance, either to the population or to the sitting Government. You can decide for yourselves, dear readers, which of those categories the incumbent falls into.