With the Presidential election at the end of October, what is the presidency, what place does it still serve in a modern Irish society and who are the people currently campaigning for your vote.
At first glance, most people associate the President as the person that shakes the players hands at the start of a match or attends St. Patrick’s Day festivities. However, the Irish presidency has played a crucial role in Irish politics, life and culture since its inception in the 1937 constitution. While the role is ceremonial, they act as a representative of Irish people and culture on the world stage.
As one person put it, the Irish president should be “somebody you’d be proud to represent Ireland”. The presidential election occurs every 7 years and gives an opportunity for the Irish people to vote with their heart instead of their minds.
They are the figure head of the nation and in the modern era, their primary responsibilities are ceremonial in nature. For example, rubber-stamping new laws, acting as a cultural ambassador, and most importantly acting as a representative of the voice of the Irish people to the international community in the form of speaking at global forums or hosting foreign dignitaries.
Historically, the role of the President has been much the same, with it being a position with little real power over the Oireachtas and the Government. Yet, they have a very important role as a symbol of Irish independence.
Historically much of Irish culture and identity has been built on the foundation of independence and freedom, the president is a symbol of Irish independence as for hundreds of years before its creation, Ireland’s head of state was the British monarch.
This importance as a reminder of our revolutionary history can be seen from the very first president, Douglas Hyde’s inauguration. As reported in The Irish Times during the event, Hyde’s “procession halted for two minutes outside the General Post Office to pay homage to the memory of the men who fell in the Easter Week rebellion of 1916.”
The original article goes on to state how at the reception hosted in Dublin Castle had “representing as it did every shade of political, religious, and social opinion in Éire [Ireland]”. This reinforces the idea of the president as independent from government figures, able to focus on the cultural dealings of the country. The president, even in a modern age still fulfills this important cultural and ceremonial role as a reminder of Irish independence.
Within a modern context, the past three presidents (Mary Robinson, Mary McAleese and Micheal D. Higgins), have all had social issues at the forefront of their presidential terms. Key instances of modern Irish presidents making an impact would be Mary McAleese’s part in the Northern Ireland peace process.
As a person from Northern Ireland herself, Ms McAleese was able to assist the peace process. Ms McAleese states how the peace process was “one of the greatest joys” of her life. Adding, “to see the the out workings of the Good Friday Agreement, to see peace on the streets, it’s a joy”
During Mary Robinson’s time in office, she continued to advocate for support of Irish emigrants and diaspora and global human rights. Robinson paved the way for women in modern Irish society, with many Irish women admiring her. Her presidency also laid the groundwork for Mary McAleese to succeed her, with McAleese’s inauguration making Ireland the first country in history to elect back to back female heads of state.
Additionally Micheal D Higgins’s time in office oversaw both “Repeal the 8th” and the referendum on same sex marriage. Higgins was a large supporter of the “Yes Equality” campaign.
Given that the role still has a valuable place in Irish society, who are the current candidates for election?
Catherine Connolly is the only confirmed candidate which could be described as “left wing”. She has the backing of the major left wing parties, being Sinn Féin, Labour, the Greens, PBB-Solidarity and the Social Democrats. Connolly is in staunch opposition to the abolition of the triple lock. Ms Connolly has stated “I believe in the Irish language”. Irish as a language seems to be a key issue for student voters, believing a president should have a strong proficiency in it.
Heather Humphrys is the candidate for Fine Gael, taking over from the well liked, Mairead McGuinness who withdrew following medical advice. At time of writing, Ms Humphrys has not spoken on the triple lock. However, Simon Harris, leader of FG, speaking to RTE, said that the UN mandate of the triple lock is “something that needs to be modified”.
Newest candidate and last to be officially nominated. FF’s Jim Gavin, following the party line, is in favour of the abolition of the triple lock. In regards to political standings, Gavin is a self-proclaimed “centrist” and “constitutional republican”.
Speaking to Harry Johnston in a personal capacity, who is the chair of Trinity Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (TCD BDS) and a leading political figure within Trinity, Johnston explained that “This is definitely a referendum of the actions of the Government”. In regards to the triple lock, Johnston continued that “I think the triple lock is fundamental to our neutrality”. This is in line with the views of Connolly, the candidate Johnston was personally volunteering and voting for.
In a modern era the president has taken on a role as a political commentator, or as Johnston explained, ”that [ability] to speak up on these political issues, is necessary, to provide a sort of national balance”.
Traditionally the president has taken on a more cultural role, however Johnston put it “Housing has become not just a political failing, but a cultural and societal travesty, and the president should be allowed to say that”. Saying how it has escaped being purely a political issue, but encompassing more aspects of Irish life.
“They are the figurehead of the Irish people, not just the Irish nation […] I think the people who call themselves Irish in Northern Ireland deserve a figurehead they can call their own.” Johnston went on to explain how his opinions on whether Irish citizens within Northern Ireland could vote in Irish presidential elections, were “complex”. Adding, “I think it clashes with aspects of the Good Friday agreement”.
When asked about the modern day presidency, Johnston told UT, “I think the presidency as an office exists to portray the kind of views of the general Irish population”. Continuing “ Someone [the president] who is able to present a heartfelt, genuine and robust message of what it means to be Irish, beyond what a lot of non-Irish people tell us who we are”. “An irish person, to declare this is what ireland is”
Given that this is the first vote since the formation of the current Government, the government could use it as a pseudo-referendum, gauging public opinion on decisions and actions they have taken.
