Sir, - Is it perhaps because she's a woman? I didn't notice a dissenting voice across the political scene when John Hume's name was being put around as an unopposed candidate for the Presidency of Ireland. I would assume that his name would be more closely associated in the public mind with Sinn Fein than that of Mary McAleese.
What is different now? - Yours, etc.,
Stillorgan Road, Dublin 4.