Politics of the presidency

Madam, - I am baffled by some people's apparent indignation about the lack of political debate on the presidency

Madam, - I am baffled by some people's apparent indignation about the lack of political debate on the presidency. Vincent Browne (Opinion, September 14th) exemplifies this bewildering self-righteousness. He appears to demand a vote on candidates who have campaigned on issues, showing a desire to change society, to an office that he himself accurately describes as symbolic.

Who cares what the President's opinion is on anything? She or he has no political power. But Mary McAleese has done more, in a symbolic office, than any of her predecessors ever did, so leave her at it - and leave political debate for when it counts for something. - Yours, etc.,

ROBERT COMYN, Rathgar, Dublin 6.

Madam, - I am writing to express my anger and disappointment at the recent decision by the Labour Party. How dare they demean the presidency by failing to nominate a candidate of the calibre of Michael D. Higgins? How dare they put party political gain before democracy? How dare they turn the presidential contest into a farce in which the only competition for the post would have come from a wet-behind the ears Green Party candidate?

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After George W. Bush recanted on his post-September 11th promise on Afghanistan - "I am not going to drop a two million dollar bomb on a two dollar tent" - Michael D. Higgins was the only politician in Dáil Éireann to condemn the action, to abhor the loss of life, and to ask for a parliamentary debate on the matter. A statesman invited to speak at NUI Galway in the aftermath of those and other actions reiterated many of the points Michael D Higgins has continued to present - namely, the danger of embarking on a war without a United Nations mandate. That man was Nelson Mandela.

Michael D. Higgins is recognised in East Timor, Nicaragua, Chile, Iraq and many other nations for his unswerving dedication to the cause of human rights. He is unique in Irish politics - unique for his passion, for his intellect, but most importantly for putting human rights first on the political agenda.

The president has a symbolic but influential role in presenting the essence of Ireland abroad.

I believe Michael D. Higgins would encourage and convey a compassionate Ireland, an Ireland where community and culture are valued, where people come before profit, where all citizens are valued for whom they are and what they can contribute rather than what they can spend.

It is indeed unfortunate that his party did not give him the opportunity to share his vision for the presidency, or the people their opportunity to decide.

The only consolation is that as a voter in Galway West, I continue to feel privileged to be able to vote for a public representative with the integrity and ethics of Michael D. Higgins. Yours, etc.,

LAURA O'CONNOR, Monterey Court, Salthill, Galway.

Madam, - What must Dana Rosemary Scallon think of it all? On the day that Fine Gael instructed its county councillors not to support her presidential nomination, the former Fine Gael Taoiseach John Bruton was in Dublin's Mansion House expressing support for Prince Charles, John Redmond, the Irish Parliamentary Party, Home Rule and the Orange Order.

Patsy McGarry, reporting on the Reform Movement's conference (The Irish Times, September 20th), quotes Mr Bruton as saying that "people should be encouraged to celebrate their different identities here in Ireland".

When Dana attempted to express her different identity by way of a presidential election she was given short shrift. Perhaps Fine Gael should practice what John Bruton preaches. - Yours, etc.,

TOM COOPER, Delaford Lawn, Knocklyon, Dublin 16.