Mary Davis (Independent)
She came out of the gates strong and as a well rounded candidate in the first televised debate on RTE's Late Late Show. She's an Irish social entrepreneur and long-term campaigner for the rights and inclusion of children and adults with intellectual disabilities. She's currently the Managing Director of Special Olympics Europe and is the Chairperson for Special Olympics Ireland. She's certainly a strong contender but has been hit in the polls of late, possibly the fact that she'd be the 3rd Mary to hold the post in a row if elected. I'm not really that taken with her to be honest she creates a non reaction from me. Maybe my number 3 or 4.
Sean Gallagher (Independent)
His background is as an entrepreneur and seems to have a strong agricultural background from what I've gathered watching his televised debates. He's most famous for appearing on RTE's stab at Dragon's Den. He's well spoken and certainly knows how to make a pitch and a persuasive argument (this coming from his business background). He vows to use this "gift of the gab" to sell Ireland and the unique Irish skills to foreign investors and potential trade partners, what the president can do is quite limited but I believe he has the drive to succeed despite these constraints. He's in my top two potentials. And is overtaken Micheal D (longstanding poll leader) in the latest poll.
Michael D. Higgins (Labour Party)
A renowned supporter of the Irish Language, Heritage and Culture, he has a long and decorated political career behind him. He also has friends in high places as apparently much respected Hollywood actor Martin Sheen signed his nomination papers and described him as a "dear friend". He also helped secure the nomination of rival David Norris by urging Dublin City Council not to block his last ditch efforts to secure nomination. I have no doubts in his ability but considering his age of 70 I'm wondering considering the constraints on the position of President, would he think of it as retirement?. Possibly a 3rd or 4th choice.
David Norris (Independent)
A noted intellect having been elected a Foundation Scholar in English Literature and Language in this prestigious Trinity College Dublin. He is also the first openly gay Irish politician and currently holds a place in the Irish Senate. He is also a noted defender of human rights and minorities. His campaign initially got off to a fine start, even receiving an endorsement from the wonderful Stephen Fry. But after word spread about him using Irish Senate headed paper to provide a character reference for a trial in which a man was convicted of abusing an underage boy in 1992 many of his campaign team resigned and his nomination looked hopeless. There was a mass Facebook campaign and on street signatures urging him to re-enter the election. The final nationwide figure was apparently 10,000. He secured a nomination, due in part by the steps made by rival Micheal D. He's in my top two with Sean Gallagher as I respect his track record on human rights and the arts. Also I think having an openly gay president would reflect well on Ireland internationally and an Intellectual one at that.
Martin McGuinness (Sinn Fein)
A former leader of the Provisional IRA and a current MP in Northern Ireland and the Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland. His genuine motives nobody's sure of really. He's said if elected he will take the average industrial wage of 30,000 a year but what he hasn't said is that Sinn Fein will take his full Presidential wage from the Government and then only give him 30,000 of it as per his wishes. He's also said in the past that he didn't recognise our court system so I donno why he is now changing his heart and recognising our country when he wants to be President of it. I'll be giving him a 6.
Gay Mitchell (Fine Gael)
A current MEP or Member of the European Parliament. He's another one with a long and quite decorated political career. He seems to be well capable at European level and I have to say I've voted him in there in the past. But in the string of televised presidential debates he's developed the nickname of "Grey" Mitchell both referring to his hair colour and the monotone and lack of substance of his delivery. He's of late resorted to a mud slinging match with Martin McGuinness. I'll be giving him a 5.
Dana Rosemary Scallon (Independent)
A former MEP and Eurovision Song Contest winner. Ah yes Dana, a Catholic Conservative and this would normally be enough to automatically give the person a number 7, but Dana is a special case. She's softly spoken and gives off the impression a frail woman could push her over. She's based her entire campaign on protecting the Irish Constitution from being wiped out by an EU one. While I agree I don't necessarily want to abolish our constitution it's BADLY in need of reform and should be dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st century, the references to the Roman Catholic faith are abundant and that's not surprising considering it was written under the watchful eye of a clergyman in the 1930s. She has also apparently being quoted as wanting God to be put in the EU constitution and that she doesn't see how this would offend people. She nearly broke down when asked about the recent legislation that wouldn't exclude priests (it wouldn't exclude anybody in general, but members of the RCC think it's a personal attack on priests, it also applies to doctors, nurses etc) from mandatory reporting if they find evidence of child sex abuse. She emotionally proclaimed "why me? why not ask any of the other candidates? I'm not the voice of the Roman Catholic Church" live on tv, in one of the televised debates, as if she was being punished.
Well those are my thought as of yet on the candidates. I'm off to waste time on youtube or to watch a movie on my laptop.
(Image Credits: Wikipedia, The Irish Independent)
