That is true but I still don’t see the point of it all and why people are so worked up about it. There are much more important things in Ireland right now to be concerned about. I am pretty sure that the next president of Ireland wont be worrying about your unemployment or hardships when they are swanning around the world staying in luxurious hotels and attending posh dinners, smiling and shaking hands. I can not but help think about how many special needs teachers or surgeons the salary and millions of expenses that the Irish presidency would pay for. Answer me this…If the next Irish president has free accommodation in the most beautiful mansion in Ireland, has servants, driver, car, holidays, hotel accommodation, wardrobe, security, first class flights, free admission into everything, free monthly groceries and no stress of having to run a country…..why is he/she still paid more than the president of America?????

Dead right Leo

@Angels

Give it a rest you’ve said that dozens of times already. The role of the President is mainly a constitutional one, to make sure the government doesn’t pass laws that are repugnant to Bunreacht na hÉireann. You might think it’s important/choose to ignore it but here in the real world it’s an important job.

The high rate of pay doesn’t really diminish the importance of her/his role and it’s something we can solve without abolishing the office altogether.

@angels. You mention in one of your many similar posts today that you were born in England and married to a Spaniard. Out of curiosity, do you have similar views on the head of state of these countries too?

The English monarchs are a waste of money, the Spanish monarchs are a waste of money….BUT, they aren’t elected as your president is. I suspect no other country on earth would get so excited over such a non entity as the Irish president when they are in the middle of the worst recession in their history. But hey, its Ireland…seemingly everything is different in Ireland. You vote away your sovereignty and freedom, yet get passionate about a president who does nothing for you….but sit and watch talent shows when other countries are striking and protesting. Good luck with your president….incredible!

Well I can’t quite agree. “Where there is no vision the people perish”. The person of the President of Ireland does count. Do we want to be represented by an extremely intelligent woman and a beautiful person, who is a shining example of fidelity to God and to her family, or to some darling of the corrupt media who flaunts his deviance and is in denial of its corrosive implications?

@ Numéaliné – God does not exist and if he did, I would hold him to be a deeply flawed individual. If he exists he is one of two things: he is either omnipotent and malevolent, or he is benevolent but not omnipotent. He either has a plan for us or he grants us free will, one or the other. But it can’t be both. I assume you were speaking of Dana when you mentioned a beautiful person and an intelligent woman. I can assure you she is not intelligent. If she was intelligent she would know homosexuality was not a choice. Dana is a deeply divisive and disturbed individual. Both herself and Gay Mitchell are the very last thing this country needs as a leader.

With Spain’s unemployment rate at 20.9 percent and people protesting on the streets – Zapatero must be amazing !.What is he doing to improve his country I ask? A president who turns a blind eye to his police force that bludgeon innocent people who choose to protest – maybe they should have stayed at home watching talent shows.
What about the Spanish monarchy who received (because they don’t earn) 8.34 million 2011
The British monarchy cost the taxpayer 200 Million pounds a year! – explain why please?????
I wonder how many posh dinners that pays for? how many 5 star hotels ? first class flights??
yes Irish people are different – I’m glad to say

It is a fairly steamy election in fairness

Just checked and you’re dead right. Instead of saving the taxpayer money by putting the motion in with the normal Monday meeting, the boys and girls get to claim more expenses by having another reason to go to County Hall the next day.

Grand so. Vote away. If you’re allowed.