Candidates looking to be the next president of Ireland debate the role of the office.
Presidential candidates Mary Robinson, Austin Currie and Brian Lenihan discuss what they believe is the role of the president during a 'Today Tonight' debate.
Independent candidate Mary Robinson sees the presidency of Ireland as a unique and important office, the only one in the land where the holder is directly elected by the people. The independence of the president is paramount, and in addition,
A president must have integrity. A president must have judgement.
She refers to the events of recent days during which Fianna Fáil candidate Brian Lenihan was sacked from his roles of Tánaiste and Minister of Defence by Taoiseach Charles Haughey because of his denial of phone calls to President Patrick Hillery in 1982.
Brian Lenihan asserts his independent status as a candidate who is no longer a member of the government. In his opinion, a president must,
Know how the political and democratic system works.
Fine Gael candidate Austin Currie TD sees the president's role as being complimentary to the government, above party politics and,
Independent of other vested interests.
Mary Robinson agrees with Austin Currie that a president should not become embroiled in confrontation with the government of the day. She or he can highlight issues in a different way, with the presidency therefore being,
A resource which brings together various groups, which goes out and visits, which listens.
This episode of 'Today Tonight’ was broadcast on 1 November 1990. The presenter is Olivia O’Leary.
'Today Tonight' was a RTÉ current affairs programme with up-to-the-minute coverage of events at home and abroad. 'Today Tonight' was first broadcast on Monday, 6 October 1980 and ran for 12 years until 1992. Edited by Joe Mulholland, the original presenters included Barry Cowan, Brian Farrell and Olivia O'Leary. 'Today Tonight' aired from Monday to Thursday on RTÉ 1.
