Sir, – I presume it would be too much to ask the RTÉ and TV3 presenters who interview the candidates for president of Ireland, in what are erroneously called “debates”, to stop playing “gottcha!” interviews and to fulfil the role of a professional interviewer.
Both major TV presenters ask “loaded” questions and then deny the candidate adequate time to respond.
The presenters on both stations have become “the story” which is certainly not the job of a professional reporter.
– Yours, etc,
A chara, – Having just watched the Prime Timedebate on the presidency (thank you RTÉ Player), and as one of the Diaspora, if they gave us a vote, I would certainly vote Miriam O'Callaghan for president. – Is mise,
Sir, – What I want in our president is somebody who is honest. On Wednesday's Prime Timedebate we saw very little of it. Gay Mitchell is the only candidate who is actually speaking his mind. He is the only candidate who speaks his mind on Martin McGuinness's membership of the IRA. He is the only candidate who actually answered the questions on the role of the president and came across with honesty in his statements.
I cannot help but feel that the rest of the candidates had a readymade answer which, no matter what the question, they were going to give anyway. I surely hope that people see this before they cast their votes. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – I suggest that the criteria for electing the next president, in the absence of any significant characteristics, apart from wanting the job, should be based on how agreeable they might be as a dinner guest in our homes. Michael D and David Norris would be excellent company over a good meal and a few glasses of wine. Forget the rest! – Yours, etc,
Sir, – Martin McGuinness’s reference to the media “down here” (Miriam Lord, October 13th) betrayed a partitionist mentality.Although he has, in fact, had a fawningly easy time of it “down here”, one assumes after his presidential campaign he will hightail it back “up there” pretty rapidly. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – The peace process in Northern Ireland is being dangerously compromised by the politically reckless and pointless continual questioning of Martin McGuinness by journalists about his membership of the IRA. We know he was an IRA activist.
The latest episode was during the recent Prime Timeprogramme on RTÉ. Anyone with any kind of historical perspective will recognise the journey of the physical force exponent to constitutional activist. This can only be embraced and encouraged as a progressive path in Ireland. It seems that part of the national psyche has yet to fully deal with the "national question" which we have generally sidestepped for the past 40 years. In that regard, Parnell would not be proud of us. – Yours,e tc,
A chara, – As the ongoing debate continues about the rights and wrongs of McGuinness, Norris, Dana and Davis, a variation of the biblical reference springs to mind, “Let he without sin cast the first vote”. – Is mise,
Sir, – Declan Bannon’s letter (October 12th) is way over the top. Of course he is entitled to vote for whoever he wishes, just as the rest of us are, but to suggest any of the candidates for the election sold out the country is negative canvassing beyond belief. Given the amount of mud being fired in all directions, I think anyone who sticks out the race, regardless of the final poll should be congratulated, as it is indicative of their stamina and staying power in adverse conditions. Survivors of the election deserve our thanks for standing, regardless of our personal choices. – Yours, etc,