Weeks more of dreary Presidential campaigning

Judging from the political personalities of the three Presidential candidates, Heather Humphreys, Catherine Connolly and Jim Gavin, which at best, can be described as ‘unexciting’ (and that’s me being generous), there are reasonable fears that the turnout for voting on October 24 will be the worst ever – and that’s saying something.

Significantly less than even half the electorate (43.9%), bothered to turn out when Michael D was sainted in 2018, with a commanding 56% of the first preferences.

The next best on that occasion was independent candidate Peter Casey who attracted a huge support, 343,000 votes, attributed to his remarks about Travellers during the course of the campaign. The remaining four candidates were never at the races, including Liadh Ní Riada of Sinn Féin and independent Seán Gallagher, who only managed to retain less that 20% of the vote he received in 2011.

This time the field has narrowed to only three candidates, the same as 1990 when Mary Robinson eventually ended up the winner.

The TV3 debate on Monday night was a damp squib during which the candidates sought to explain why they want to become President and the interviewer questioned them on issues, such as street crime, over which the President has no role whatsoever, except to appeal to people and communities: “ah c’mon lads, can’t ye be nice?”

And we’re facing into another three weeks of this ridiculousness.