A computer system went haywire yesterday as Mary Banotti attended the fifth in a series of presidential question and answer session with readers of The Irish Times online. The surge of afternoon Internet traffic and the huge volume of people trying to engage with the candidate had apparently caused a temporary breakdown. Undeterred, Ms Banotti used the five-minute break to chat about her daughter who reads The Irish Times online in Gaza city, and although the MEP is also online, she preferred "the feeling of a newspaper in my hand".
Earlier, a German crew had arrived at the Irish Times Electronic Publishing office in Dublin saying they were looking for Mary McAleese. They meant Mary Banotti but it was easy to get mixed up, they agreed. Michael Scott from Gaza city asked Ms Banotti whether she thought that Articles 2 and 3 should be removed in the interests of the peace process.
Ms Banotti was delighted to hear from Gaza city "where I spent my Easter holidays" but the subject was a matter for the Government and "can only be dealt with by way of referendum".
Mark Henry, from Ireland, asked whether the candidate's political experience was going to be of any practical use "when your hands will be tied and your speech restricted in the Aras".
She felt she would "be able to work within the confines of the Constitution" she said. "The President, through the dignity of the presidential office, can emphasise and support many issues". A group of transition year students wanted to know the candidate's views "on the apparent upsurge in racism in Ireland". Ms Banotti had been "deeply concerned" by racist remarks that had been voiced over the past few months. Millions of Irish people "had reason to be grateful for the kindness of strangers" and now must recognise that "we have a responsibility to help those fleeing from persecution and danger".
For the most part the candidate's answers were short and to the point. Asked by Chris LaRoche from Massachusetts about the role of lesbians and gays in Ireland, she was typically brief: "I totally oppose discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation."
Throughout the hour-long session a gentle prod in the back from her election agent was code that the candidate had answered a question adequately. The same tactics ensured she avoided sticky issues such as John Bruton's handling of the McAleese controversy.
The computers may have crashed but Ms Banotti's handlers were ensuring that her presidential hopes didn't.
The Irish Times Website address is http://www.irish-times.com