Michael D rides once more

Our front page this morning has the answer to one of the favourite parlour-game questions of Irish politics: will President Michael D Higgins stand for a second term? Our deputy political editor, Fiach Kelly, has the story: he will.

Michael D has let it be known he intends this summer to declare his intention to stand again when his term expires in the autumn. We may be publicising this news a little earlier than the Aras intended. So let’s hope he doesn’t mind too much.

Today’s story brings to an end the off-on, will-he-won’t-he speculation that has surrounded the President since he intimated last year that he might revise his previous pledge to serve just one term.

That pledge was given during and after the 2011 presidential election, but it was apparent for some time that President Higgins was having second thoughts about it. Anyway, expect much demonstrating of the 76-year-old’s vigour and energy over the coming weeks. As it happens, he’s starting a visit to Greece today, would you believe.

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So what happens now? Anyone interested in challenging Michael D – they’d be brave, his poll numbers are impressive – will have to get their skates on and start preparing for a campaign.

Senator Gerard Craughwell has flagged his willingness to serve, making the argument that a contest for the State’s highest office is desirable.

Others have nosed around, too, though it would be hard to say any potential candidate has generated a buzz of excitement – although it’s early days, admittedly.

The independent TDs and Senators have the numbers to nominate a candidate, so they probably will. That could pull Sinn Fein into a contest, and that could pull Fianna Fail in, which in turn could pull Fine Gael in. Rather like the first World War, though with more tedious speeches.

Michael D is tremendously popular, and he could yet scare everyone else off. That is probably the intention. He will have two obstacles: his age (he would be approaching his mid-80s finishing his second term) and the fact he pledged to serve only one term. Both are probably surmountable, depending on the opposition.

To the Four Courts

There will be important developments in two of the big running political stories today.

Down at the Four Courts, the Supreme Court will hear the State’s appeal against a High Court decision last year that found the unborn had rights in law beyond the right to life. It could have profound implications for the referendum.

Now there’s hardly a lawyer in the town who doesn’t believe this is going to be overturned by their lordships. The Government is nervously confident that it will be.

The case will run for two days, and a judgment is expected in the not-too-distant future; the Government hopes it comes before March 6th to enable it to finalise the referendum wording.

Maybe it’ll all fall into place, but one thing is sure: if this case doesn’t work out the way Ministers expect, it’ll put the cat among the pigeons.

Here’s an explainer from yours truly, plus Sarah Bardon’s report from Cabinet yesterday.