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OVER THREE QUARTERS of Irish people want Michael D Higgins to stay on as president for a second term, according to the results of a new survey.
An Ireland Thinks/ Irish Daily Mail survey found that 76% of people said they wanted Higgins to serve a second term as president.
Higgins came to office following the 2011 presidential election.
During that race, he promised to only stand for a single seven-year term. However, since being elected, the president has refused to rule out the possibility of a second run for Áras an Uachtaráin.
Last week, the president said he “is not ruling out” running for a second term next year.
The former Labour Party TD and arts minister has been popular with the electorate during his time in office.
A presidential election is due to be held in October 2018. If no-one contests the election, Higgins could be given a free run at a second term.
However, there have been rumblings potential candidates who may wish to challenge President Higgins.
These include independent senator Gerard Craughwell, who said he was considering running in order to ensure there would be an election held.
The Ireland Thinks survey interviewed a random sample of 1,105 people over the age of 18 over the course of a week earlier this month.
Political poll
The survey also examined the state of play within the political parties.
Fine Gael remained on top with 32% support, with Fianna Fáil close behind on 29%.
Sinn Féin were in third place, dropping 2 points to 14%.
The full list of support for the parties is below:
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The position serves no purpose and costs a fortune. The job should be voluntary and let’s see then how many will be looking to do it. Mick D does exactly as govt tell him with no questions asked except maybe ‘where did I put my teeth’ and the obscene monies this lad is getting is vomit worthy. Collecting a TD pension as well as ministerial pensions as well as presidents wages as well as pension to follow as well as private interests – obscene!
It’s a percentage of people asked not the entire country, Why are you spinning figures constantly.
@David Huston:
In other words David any poll that doesn’t agree with me has to be wrong.
@Phil Swan: Agree. When he ran last time he said it was for 1 term. I think he should have enough money banked. Stick to your word President Higgins.
That’s is not my point, It is a business tool used to influence opinion when promoted as fact. @ PJ Nolan, Ok
@David Huston: Those figures really dont tally with other recent polls.
Absolutely; Michael D is/has been the best person for Presidential role in many years. An accomplished Statesman; an experienced politician; an informed Advocacy ambassador;a prudent commentator; an educated and cultured gentleman; a person who is dedicated and committed to representing his country nationally and globally in an informed, wise and ethical manner without fear of ‘upsetting ‘ others in positions of prestige or power. He may be short on stature, but huge on commitment.
@Margate: I think he’s being doing a great job and it would save us a few quid if we didn’t have to have another election which I think he would win comfortably.
@Margate: prudent? His remarks on Castro were disguising
@Hurt Stoogie: Living up to your name.
@Margate: did Hook not say he would run in case of no one else standing? His recent brush with the liberals might change his mind though
@lavbeer: Or was that Bertie ? Think it was. That would be entertaining
@Margate: same as every other politician. A leech on the taxpayer and let’s face it we dont need a president .
The man is a genuine gentleman and wonderful representative of our country.
I think it’s more to do with a lack of any credible alternative, Berty, Enda or some other head of an NGO with an over-inflated ego.
@Dáithí Ó Raghallaigh: nope ….why change something that’s not broken ..
@Dáithí Ó Raghallaigh:
Do you not think MD is credible?
@Nick Allen: yes just like every irish president. Let’s look at marys tenure she didn’t contest her 2nd term just sailed right in and rightfully so.
His statements on Fidel Castro were disgraceful, shameful and hypocritical.
Higgins has long spoken out about neo-liberal politics despite the role of the Irish president to be above such statements on policy, yet called a tyrant such as Castro a “giant among world leaders”. Castro ordered the torture and execution of thousands of anybody he considered a dissident or anybody who disagreed with them. More than a million Cubans fled the country to escape oppression and Higgins opens a book of condolence.
Higgins often points out what he thinks is going wrong in Europe and the world but has offered not a single solution. Virtue-signalling of the highest order. Not to mention his very sympathetic view on open-door immigration and belief that unrestricted numbers of Muslims should be welcomed and never questioned into Ireland and Europe.
@Ó Connmhaigh: And Dev sent a mass card for Hitler…
@Ó Connmhaigh:
Didn’t think you would be able to make a comment without bringing Muslims into it and you didn’t disappoint.
@Ó Connmhaigh: He also cut short his holiday in China to rush back and sign in The Water Services Bill even though over 20 TDs had asked him to hold off until it was discussed further! Horrible little man!
How did they arrive at this figure? .l certainly was not asked ,And would not be one of the so called 75% who allegedly support Higgins.
Definitely.. It saves a presidential pension..
. . How much would it cost the state if someone young got the job, 1 term at quarter of a million a year.. And a huge pension for the rest of their life… Only the old for president…
@Mark Hosford:
Good point
@Mark Hosford: Silly suggestion. Wasn’t a referendum to reduce the minimum age for a President actually defeated?
(also, since when was a salary determined by age of the applicant?)
@Mark Hosford:
Interesting point, I know ministerial pensions now only kick in when you reach 65 or 66 but would it be the same if we had a “young” x President?
Pity they didn’t ring me.
@winston smith: I’m sure they’re devastated.
Time to hang up those boots and retire gracefully now I think.
75% of 1000 people surveyed is not 75% of the electorate.
@marg fitzgerald: You’ve heard of this new-fangled thing called ‘polling’, haven’t you? When they ask the *entire* electorate this question we call it ‘a presidential election’, but in the meantime, an opinion poll seems like a quick and easy toe in the water.
@Tordelback: thank you for the lesson …my point still stands
He has done nothing and the position serves no purpose
Well I don’t. ..
@evelyn mc carthy: I’m sure he’ll reconsider, now that he’s armed with this vital information.
I disagree ,he has had his term ,done a great job ,but i would like to see some one younger and bit more dynamic ,the likes of Brian o driscoll ,some one who represents modern ireland ,its time we moved on ,and stopped having old heads of state .
@Anthony Gallagher: Brian O’ Driscoll for president? This is exactly what is wrong with people understandinf of politics. You might figure out that it takes a bit more than kicking a ball to be a President and that it requires skills that you dont get in the pitch.
@Anthony Gallagher: Oh yeah, let’s put a bloody celeb in the Aras! Worked really well in the states didn’t it?
Sinead O’Connor for President! Woohoo
@Pablo Rojas Coppari: if brian o driscoll showed the same level of courage and leadership in the presidency as he showed on the pitch ,i would support him 100%,RONALD REAGAN was a very successful president of the united states and he was b rate actor for most of his life .cop on you dont need to be a poet to be president .
@Tony Stanley: dont be a pussy,yeltson in russia an alcoholic ,clinton a sex maniac ,george w ,you dont have an argument ,drico would be more than capable of holding his own .
Michael D is doing a great job for our country. Keep it going michael
We need a young new President that represents all Irish citizens as well as the country.
In today’s world where Irish citizens have to seek work overseas, it is scandalous to disenfranchise them and President Higgins has been an abject failure in giving voice
to the Irish abroad.
Instead we are left with an antiquated voting system and the prospect of another
Presidential term by an antiquated President just to preserve the current political status quo. How silly is it to have to vote in the electorate where one has been registered to vote. This is horse and cart stuff of 100 years ago and Catholic Parochial to boot and not befitting a 21st Century hi-tech Ireland.
So retire his Agedness with dignity and give a young person a go !
@Moorooka Mick:
We need an Irish version of Macron for Irish President (with a younger wife perhaps)
@Moorooka Mick: What’s wrong with Macrons wife ye ageist eejit?
@TellingItAsItIs:
The issue is that a young President represents Ireland; not a defacto
mother & son (yar mug)
@Moorooka Mick: Oh Jesus no, leo drools over that plank enough already, we don’t need one on our doorstep, you’d never get him out of the phoenix Park.
@Moorooka Mick: Ibrahim Halawa it is then!
@Mark Andrew Salmon: It would be if the media luvvies had their way.
@Moorooka Mick: It’s official. You’re an ageist tool.
Is there anybody out there who is one of the 75% polled, I for one have never been asked to express an opinion or to say which party I’d vote for!
@Charles Coughlan: Yes, Red C polls did randomly ring me a few times, around the last general election. Now that I think of it, I’ve changed my number. Maybe they’ll dial yours next.
Lol, Miriam O’Callaghan won’t be too happy if he runs for another term.
Wasthe poll undertaken on Kildare Street? I find it hard to believe that 75% said they “wanted” him to be president. If it was ‘don’t mind’ or ‘couldn’t care less’ it would be much more believable
Don’t forget his private jet home and back on holidays to sign IW into law
@lavbeer: I will never forgive him for that ! All mouth, no trousers !
Mick Wallace for President, free pink shirt for everyone.
@Sam Cairns:
As soon as he pays his VAT bill….
I hope he does us a favour and retires to Cuba.
No, journalistic bull, sorry journal.
Not me.
We did a poll in our office and 100 percent agreed that most polls lately have been incorrect including our own one
I remember him saying during the election campaign it would be for one term only. Another lying politician
Would hate the littler lad representing our country for another 7 years were bad enough
@John Mc Mullen: you must of had it had under his tyrannic rule :P
With the possibility of a general election been called next year the parties do not want a presidential election too. They simply do not want to spend money on what is a ceremonial role.
@phil: Nail on the head there. Same thing happened with McAleese’s second term. Why bother running an election and wasting time and resources on this role. The smaller parties get a chance to boost their profiles at Presidential elections so if the main parties can avoid one and starve them of that chance, they will.
So do we really need somebody in their mid 80′s representing us if he goes again.
@Jimmy Cully: Yes, saves on paying two large pensions. If he doesn’t run again, I’ll vote for a childless smoker. Half-joking.
Get rid of the Presidents office
Serves no purpose whatsoever
It’s a retirement home for politicians
Michael D would go to an opening of an envelope if he fought he’d get a weeks holiday out of it
Not me
Who on earth wouldn’t love an election… ?? I love the 7 yearly mud slinging competition. Tax returns, private lives, loaded tv studios, Irish debates when only 2 out of 7 can speak Irish and of course Dana… oh yes please…!!!
I heard a few years ago from a colleague of his that he refers to the Aras as the ‘open prison’. Hmm..
@EmmaLoodle:
Must be the most expensive prison in Europe so.
Well I don’t! He had done enough globe trotting at our expense! No more! We are supposed to be s Democracy! What a joke of a country we have become!
Another ridiculous inaccurate headline. Unless this survey asked 4.7 million people then your headline is incorrect. It should read ” 75% of the 1000 people we chose to sample”.
Will be recorded in history as the president who signed the Eviction Bill 2013.
Lefty credibility out the window. Promised he would only serve one term. Typical Irish politician.
I like him a lot he is intelligent eloquent and inspirational. Seen him do a lecture years ago , how I wish I was his student . Brilliant mind .
@WilhelminaMCallaghan:
Enough of the sarcasm and irony.
This president by proxy promised to serve only one term and like all of his ilk once he got his snout in the trough The gig became to good a one to quit.
Duck Spring! You Are Joking!!
Not a great president, from the horrendously poor, crooked bunch of FF, FG and labour, but better than other options from that shower, bertie, enda.
I’d like a president that the public would genuinely like and respect. Unfortunately, the FF, FG and labour bunch don’t give us that.
The present incumbent is a noble person with a noble vision of a better Ireland. I hope that he stands again.
I Would like to see Dick Spring or Fergus Finlay as president.
@Daithi Gazeley:
It wouldn’t pay Fergus as he is the director of a Charity. He could never take the wage cut.
I’d like Sabina as President and it would save paying those thieves the “Removal Companies”and she’s great craic!
I 100% support the position of president of Ireland it is important to have a strong nation state to counter the strength of corporations undue influence on how the world views our civil rights glad higgins defended castro’s cuba
Journal results of political poll ranked in peculiar order. Is it by party or %? If % then Independents/others should be behind Sinn Féin but ahead of Labour. Persistent relegation of Independents to the bottom of the list is misleading to readers.
If that 75% want him let them vote him in. He has done nothing to enhance this country. Visiting socialist/communist countries at our cost. What about all the jobs for our young people as promised. Hasn’t stopped them from emigrating.
What happens if the person dies while in office? Who takes over since we have no vice-president?
@Franklin Roosevelt: Functions such as the signing of legislation are carried out by the Presidential Commission which comprises, the Chief Justice, the Ceann Comhairle and the Cathaoirleach of the Seanad until such time as a new President is elected.
@Franklin Roosevelt:
Wishful thinking eh.
@Franklin Roosevelt: His wife..
Michael D restored dignity and gravitas to the presidency after Mary, Mary and Mary.
But Bertie would be a better option.
Is it the over 75′S that want it
I voted for Michael D. I’d like him to stick to what he’d said he’d do, one term only.
Liar
75% of who… I don’t want him to be president… we don’t need a president … it’s a huge waste of tax payers money..
The terminal decline of the traditional main parties continues, they’ll be left with no seats soon.
We need to get a President from one of the minority groups like Leo.
Maybe a new immigrant or Traveller would be the best person to represent Ireland.
@tom McCormack: Ibrahim Halawa will be back soon, will he do?
Give Enda Kenny a lash at it as it it would be good to see him with the Mayo team
Only 75% that figure dos not sound right.
No pass me the sick bucket plz
Can’t stand his politics but he’s an admirable statesman, well educated man and good speaker. The alternatives to him will by poor if the 2011 elections are anything to go by.
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