The race to Áras an Uachtaráin

Experience, vision and authenticity. These are the three skills President Michael D Higgins says he has over the other candidates vying for his role in Áras an Uachtaráin .

“What I mean by experience is that I have been elected at every level of administration in Ireland; local politics, national politics, the Seanad, Dáil Eireann, a member of two cabinets and president of the council of ministers, and, of course, my experience as president of Ireland. In terms of vision, I have always been in the initiating stages of policy and then, of course, there is authenticity. In relation to the next seven years, I know what the constitution is, I know the space of the president’s role within that and I have stretched that role. It is also about the values that I have put into practise since I started in politics at all these different levels.”

It’s a new term though president, so what would you do differently? “I am thinking of bringing out an annual report from the Áras. We have a small staff and do so much already. For example, when we go abroad, a typical day is up at 6.30am and going to meetings accompanied with representatives from Enterprise Ireland, Tourism Ireland, Bord Bia and so forth. All of this has been happening for the past seven years and will continue to be done.”

However, despite this, the other candidates say they would be a more active, energetic president. We ask his response to such criticism.

“There is such a thing called intellectual energy. Intellectual energy is demonstrated in your published work, the lectures you give, the contacts you’ve made. Then there is a moral energy, which I believe is even more important. And that is the values you start out with, that you sustain and offer in the future. And then, of course, it is quite wrong to say during the life cycle that one form of energy is different to the other. I am fitter than I was seven years ago for many reasons.”

In discussing his biggest achievement in the role, President Higgins talks about his success on an international level.

“I am probably the head of state in Europe who is in most demand to give lectures on its future. In one of my most recent papers that I delivered in Florence, I met with the president of Italy, the president of Portugal and the president of Greece, discussing what we are going to do to prevent the rise of racism across Europe.

“That is the thing, looking to the next seven years, we are in a time that calls for a person with experience, vision and wisdom to be president. Why? We are at a very fragile time in the multi-lateral system, one of the weakest since the second world war. We are in a very risky situation with our neighbour, not just in terms of Brexit but in relation to the human rights guaranteed in the Good Friday agreement. It is a challenging time that needs to be led by a person with experience.”

When asked if he wasn’t on the ballot sheet, who would he vote for, he refused to reply, saying: “Let me say, I wish all the candidates health and good luck. I hope we will all have a respectful and positive campaign. How we behave in the next week is something that will tell a lot of our character and the choice that people will make.”

International experience – that’s Peter Casey’s first pitch when it comes to the role of president. He has lived his adult life in Ireland, America and Australia.

“It’s amazing the number of very senior Irish people that are in CEO positions and leaders of universities around the world. We have kind of got a monopoly on leadership and I have spent the last 35 years building contacts. I am also a person who makes things happen, I have a call to action. I don’t just talk about things, I actually do it and that’s what sets me apart.

“I also have – more than any other candidate – a really deep understanding of the whole situation with Brexit and Northern Ireland. I was on the Good Friday Peace delegation, I own businesses and properties in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. There is no candidate who has actually lived through it like I have and who has such a deep understanding of the implications of not getting a solution to Brexit.”

Peter is keen that big changes are needed in the next seven years: “I think we should get rid of the navy and air force. We need the money that we would save. I would put in the world’s best sea rescue helicopters, so that they can rescue our brave fishermen who risk their lives every night, and I would also have air ambulances for people in rural Ireland.”

While we appreciate the need for response units in rural Ireland, we ask by making these changes is he essentially getting rid of our defence system?

“No. I am realising the realities of what our defence system is.”

The office of the President cannot affect policy but it can persuade. Peter says he would be focused on “education and promoting the whole idea of really connecting”.

“We have the technology to do that, like never before. I could make a dozen phone calls tomorrow and get a dozen leaders of major firms to come to Ireland. If the president asks for your company, it is very persuasive.”

I also wouldn’t take a salary. Every month I am going to give it away to a different county council and they can decide what charity they give it to.

He says his persuasion techniques would also apply to farming: “There is far too much regulation, it is all coming from the EU. We are being crucified: the farmers and the fishermen. I would identify those decision makers and work on them. I would bring them to rural Ireland to listen to the farmers about what is keeping them awake at night.”

Out of all the candidates, Peter Casey has been most public about his feelings on the current president.

“I don’t see any issue with a president serving three terms and I will certainly try get support for a second term, but I will not be using self-nomination. I think that was wrong of Michael D to do that. I also think he was totally wrong to go to Cuba, especially on Irish tax payer’s money. Essentially though, I am a numbers person. If you look at the President’s activity, minus the last month or so, it was 530 engagements or something in year one and in 2017 it dropped to around 330. That will be much lower again when he is nearly 85.”

So what would Peter do differently?

“I would have total transparency and the accounts would be published every quarter, I also wouldn’t take a salary. Every month I am going to give it away to a different county council and they can decide what charity they give it to.”

Finally, if Peter wasn’t on the ballot sheet, who would he be voting for? I have a lot of respect for Joan Freeman but I would probably give Gavin Duffy my vote.”

Gavin Duffy believes there will be serious challenges during the next presidential term and he has the skillset to guide the country through.

“We don’t know what form Brexit will take but it will have huge implications for trade, plus the border. I have a skillset in relation to trade and tariff issues, plus connection to the business industry here and in the UK that I can apply.

“People say the president is only a ceremonial position but going into negotiations with the UK, in very uncertain situations, I think we will need a diplomatic representative. Even to talk to the Irish in Britain, who are feeling uncomfortable – to reach out to British trading bodies, to maintain good relations.

“There are also rapid changes coming with artificial intelligence and robotics, which will redefine our job roles. I am familiar with those issues and how they are going to challenge us.

“These are big societal issues and that is why in three years when we have the centenary commemorations of the foundation of the state, I don’t think we should be dwelling on the past 100 years but having a national conversation about the type of Ireland we want in a very changed world. So it is a presidency for our times that I am offering.”

“State and faith” is also a big area of focus for Gavin. “People may refer to it as ‘church and state’ but I believe we are becoming a more secular society. If you look at three generations, from young people to their grandparents, the role of the church in their lives is very different. So, who now sets the moral compass for a new society? I feel we are well able to set it as citizens, but we have to have a serious national conversation. We all want a more open, equal, just and – very importantly – compassionate society. That is something that I believe a president that is in touch with the people can achieve.”

We all want a more open, equal, just and – very importantly – compassionate society. That is something that I believe a president that is in touch with the people can achieve

Gavin isn’t sure that President Higgins bought into that: “He is very good at the ceremonial aspect of the role but I believe by going for a second term, we are taking the presidency back to being a retirement home to house politicians who served the country. I have no difficulty with Michael running again, from an age point of view, but I do have a problem with people staying too long in the job. This has always been an issue in the farming community – somebody holding on to the farm for too long, not handing it over to the next generation. I think we are doing the same to the presidency.

When it comes to agriculture, Gavin says he is concerned about the retail giants: “People are producing food and manufacturing goods and yet retailers are so powerful they can just tell you to reduce the cost by whatever percentage – and I’ve experienced this as an investor. That power is frightening. This can’t be solved in an Irish context. We have to start campaigning EU wide for a fair price policy for food production.”

Gavin says if he wasn’t on the ballot sheet, he would be voting for Joan Freeman and the former president that most inspires him is Sean T O’Kelly.

“When he came into office, relations weren’t great with the United States but by forming a relationship with Eisenhower, this was the start of the St Patrick’s Day visits to America, and all the trade agreements that accompanied that. That is what the president can do.”

Joan Freeman says if she was to become president, she – more than any other candidate – would be focused on the communities of Ireland rather than the countries surrounding it.

“When we think about the last seven years, we came through a very difficult time economically and that is the great job of the current president, who brought dignity to the country, but I think we need to turn the lens back on the people of Ireland.”

Joan says as founder of Pieta House, her focus will be on the three Cs: community, connection and compassion.

“It is community in the real sense, connection to every community and then the moment we ignite that compassion – which we are so abundant with in Ireland – each community will not only be able to identify their problems, but also find the solutions. This is the unique thing I want to bring – to empower and solve community problems. We can’t wait for the Government, we need to do it ourselves.”

This community focus applies to the older population, isolation in rural Ireland and the homeless crisis.

“Every year there is an additional 20,000 people living over the age of 65. While there are great benefits to that, there are also massive challenges. The health service is the obvious one but also isolation and loneliness. I want to connect the older population with the community. It is no good to have a national organisation saying: ‘This is how we do it.’ You have to go county by county, community by community. Cork’s needs are different to Kerry’s. Start at grassroots and watch it flourish.

“This local approach will also be crucial to tackling rural isolation – befriending other farmers, sharing a pool of advice and support. That sort of real belonging is needed.”

Homelessness also needs a local taskforce says Joan: “We get business people, influencers, someone from the local GAA. We need to see what each county can do for its people. The Government is focused on the economy, which they have to do, but more than that, they will not see what is happening on the ground, at local level.”

This is the unique thing I want to bring – to empower and solve community problems. We can’t wait for the Government, we need to do it ourselves

Joan says the president that inspires her most is Mary Robinson. “She was 100 years ahead of her time, absolutely fearless and passionate. People say the president has no power but in fact the president has enormous power, maybe not executive power but she stood in Somalia with the whole world focused on her.”

This approach inspires Joan.

“Let me give you an example. I’ve been working for two years on passing legislation through the Seanad to make it illegal for children to be placed in adult psychiatric wards. During that time, there were at least 150 children in these wards. One case in Waterford showed a child was in a secluded room on an adult ward for 41 days.

“Which do you think would make a greater difference? Fighting for legislation for nearly two years or if the president visited that child? Which would cause more impact, draw more empathy from the nation’s media? The president doesn’t need to say a word, they just need to be present.

“Of course, the role of the president has the national and international ambassador side of it, the signing into law, the ceremonial aspect. However, each president brings a different dimension that is uniquely theirs, and that would be my approach.

Finally, Joan says if she wasn’t on the ballot sheet, she would vote for Liadh Ní Riada “because she is a female leader and I support women”.

People say the powers of the president are limited but I believe they are only limited by tradition and thinking,” says Sean Gallagher. “Look at Mary Robinson, she stepped into the role at a time when it was a retirement home for elderly male politicians. By her very example she changed it. I want to do the same.”

Advocating for people with disabilities, community and volunteerism, as well as trade will be Sean’s areas of focus if he becomes president. “As someone who grew up with a disability, as visually impaired, I want to inspire young people and change the conversation, and I can change it because it is coming authentically from who I am. I want to be a role model, show that anybody can achieve their full potential.

“I also believe volunteerism in our communities is hugely important. Communities thrive with Tidy Town groups, senior citizens groups, the GAA. That volunteerism has to be recognised because what is not recognised gets lost.”

When it comes to trade and promoting business, Sean is very focused on rural Ireland: “I have spent the last 25 years as a champion of SMEs, creating jobs in rural areas. These are the glue that hold communities together, it is a symbiotic relationship. Without jobs, the primary school, post office and shop would close, young people are gone to the cities and you’re left with older people isolated and a community devoid of vibrancy.

As someone who grew up with a disability, as visually impaired, I want to inspire young people and change the conversation, and I can change it because it is coming authentically from who I am. I want to be a role model, show that anybody can achieve their full potential.

“There is a model that works though. Look at Skibereen, Gweedore, Gorey where hubs have been created so people working in businesses don’t have to drive two hours into cities, spending their time on the road. That’s not healthy for people, their families, their communities. These people, these areas need the support of the president.”

Sean also says as a president he would be promoting Irish farmers and produce abroad.

“We can see the success we’ve had with Asian markets. Everybody talks about baby formula and Irish whiskey and beef, which have huge sectors around the world, but we can bring in cheese and other markets. That doesn’t just happen though, it has be organised. In terms of supporting farmers, I am different from the other candidates because I am the only one with my own herd number.”

If he was to become president, Sean said he would be most excited about changing the energy and dynamic of the presidency to be seen more out in the community and championing causes. “I am excited about being active, not passive. I am up early and in bed late. For me it will be about using my energy to make an impact.”

Out of all the candidates, Sean would be bringing the youngest family to the Áras. Bobby is five and Lucy is two.

“What would make me nervous about becoming president is probably the impact on the children if I was away too much. I wouldn’t want to lose that connection and I wouldn’t want them to suffer. But my wife Trish is so grounded and committed to the kids that we would find a way to make that work.”

Sean is the only candidate who, besides the president himself, would not comment on who he would vote for, saying he is still considering everyone’s outlook. He says: “I salute all the candidates and would never dream of criticising any of them. They all will bring something to the role and have great merit.”

Liadh Ní Riada says she is ranked as one of the hardest working MEPs in Europe – a good place to start for the role of president. “Even though the presidential office is not political, you still have to have a grasp of politics. You have to engage with others and I have been engaging with EU leaders. I am in a parliament group devoted to Brexit, from trade to what is going to happen to our common fisheries policy and CAP. I can bring all of that to the table. Although I wouldn’t be able to influence in terms of legislation, I have that knowledge.”

She also says she is down to earth and understands daily family struggles: “I go to Strasbourg every week for conferences. I am constantly switching gears; from political analysis to thinking about my child’s music lesson. I think that is important. I am not removed from the daily struggles of ordinary people because I am an ordinary woman.”

Looking to the next seven years, what changes are needed?

“We are a progressive society and have changed very much since the last election but there are still huge inequalities. Certainly homelessness is a huge issue, so is health and education. The cost of living is now beyond hope for most. That is not the Ireland we should be creating. I think we need radical reform in terms of equality. We need an economy that serves the people, rather than the other way around.”

Regarding farming, Liadh says: “We need to look at the distribution of CAP. I don’t think it’s a one-size-fits-all. Farming practices and CAP need to be tailor-made. There is huge potential though when you look at food strategy plans for the next 20 years, we are ideally placed for those.”

With fears surrounding Brexit and the Mercosur Deal, Liadh says: “It is about making sure that the market stays reasonably stable without volatility, because that will have a massive impact on our producers.”

Addressing the Oireachtas is how Liadh plans to influence policy and says she thinks those powers have been underutilised: “I am not someone who will back away from social injustice. I will address the Oireachtas, reminding them that I am a watchdog for the ordinary people.

“For me, the role is also about engaging with the people. I am not going to disappear into the Áras, it is not in my nature. I think the role of the president is far more than just ceremonial. It is about raising the important issues and bringing people into the Áras.”

Homelessness is a huge issue, so is health and education. The cost of living is now beyond hope for most. That is not the Ireland we should be creating. I think we need radical reform in terms of equality. We need an economy that serves the people, rather than the other way around.

In terms of what she would do differently to the current president, Liadh says: “I will engage a lot more with the people. Michael D has done a very good job as an ambassador for this country but it is time for a change. It is always good to have somebody who brings a different voice to the table.

“As a president, I would be much more active and energetic because although the ceremony is important, representing Ireland on the international stage, it is also about making sure that we have fair representation in the north, south, east and west. I would be a 32-county president and reach out that hand to the Unionists, the Orange Lodge and Shankill Road. I would want the Áras to be an open and welcoming house, so that we can look at reunification properly.

Saying all that, when asked who she would vote for if she wasn’t on the ballot sheet, Liadh says: “Purely on the basis that I know this gentleman, he has Gaeilge and is an advocate for culture, like myself, I would say Michael D.”