Mary McAleese - last day in office

leakyboots · 10-11-2011 11:38AM #1

How'd she do overall as our President do you reckon?

Having the Queen over was pretty historic, has to be said.

fedor.2. · 10-11-2011 11:41AM

leakyboots wrote: »

How'd she do overall as our President do you reckon?

Having the Queen over was pretty historic, has to be said.

Ah she was grand

Jen Pigs Fly · 10-11-2011 11:41AM

I can't really say much considering I was 7 when she got elected.

But I think she did a lot for Irish-British relations by inviting the queen over, I think it was a very brave move, but one that was quite successful.

fedor.2. · 10-11-2011 11:42AM

Hi Jenny

Fago! · 10-11-2011 11:45AM

she'd get it.

Plazaman · 10-11-2011 11:46AM

She done a great job, was knowledgeable of the whole legislation process from her solicitor days, speaks 3 languages fluently and represented Ireland very well abroad and when hosting dignitaries.

Having said that I'm sure there'll be someone checking any cases or bags she brings out just in case herself and Martin rob the place blind. There won't be a piece of silver cutlery or a china plate left in the place for Michael D, mark my words.

Brendog · 10-11-2011 11:47AM

Fago! wrote: »

she'd get it.

No .....she wouldn't

fedor.2. · 10-11-2011 11:48AM

Good to have a man back at the helm though, its how it should be

Pompey Magnus · 10-11-2011 11:48AM

History books may look at her failure to refer the Credit Institutions Act in 2010 to the Supreme Court as the most important few hours of her Presidency and they may not be too forgiving of her decision.

SEPT 23 1989 · 10-11-2011 11:49AM

Plazaman wrote: »

She done a great job, was knowledgeable of the whole legislation process from her solicitor days, speaks 3 languages fluently and represented Ireland very well abroad and when hosting dignitaries.

Having said that I'm sure there'll be someone checking any cases or bags she brings out just in case herself and Martin rob the place blind. There won't be a piece of silver cutlery or a china plate left in the place for Michael D, mark my words.

They are removing all the copper wiring as we speak

Dotrel · 10-11-2011 11:52AM

They've also removed all the D's from staff keyboards.

LK_Dave · 10-11-2011 11:54AM

She was a hypocrite

Treated the Pope with contempt by not wearing a hat when she met him but covering up when meeting mullahs or travelling in the Islamic world.
Did not raise any noticeable objection when she signed the protection of PLC debt to sovereign thus enslaving this and the next generation.
Did not object to denying the Irish people a voice when she stood unopposed for re-election for her second term due to a cosy agreement between the political parties.

We are well rid of her and her golf playing hubby

sensibleken · 10-11-2011 11:55AM

xxxJennyxxx wrote: »

I can't really say much considering I was 7 when she got elected.

.

I am old

JerryHandbag · 10-11-2011 11:56AM

Fago! wrote: »

she'd get it.

In 1997, yeah.

Jen Pigs Fly · 10-11-2011 11:57AM

fedor.2. wrote: »

Good to have a man back at the helm though, its how it should be

Careful now :cool:

Morlar · 10-11-2011 12:00PM

I can picture her going around the house today moving everything up to the high shelf so Michael D is screwed when he gets there. Hiding the remote that sort of thing. I think she was so so. The hysteria when she stood for election was pathetic, eoghan harris certainly showed his true colours during her election. If only to piss off the anti-nationalist bigots her election was a good thing.

sensibleken · 10-11-2011 12:02PM

LK_Dave wrote: »

She was a hypocrite

Treated the Pope with contempt by not wearing a hat when she met him but covering up when meeting mullahs or travelling in the Islamic world.
Did not raise any noticeable objection when she signed the protection of PLC debt to sovereign thus enslaving this and the next generation.
Did not object to denying the Irish people a voice when she stood unopposed for re-election for her second term due to a cosy agreement between the political parties.

We are well rid of her and her golf playing hubby

Its not compulsory to wear a hat around the pope.

She cant refuse to sign bills unless there is a concern for their constitutionality. What ever you want to say about that bill, there is no question over its constitutionality.

What is she gonna do, force someone else to stand against her?

Martin McAleese actually played a large role in raching out to Unionists it was revealed in the papers

2 stroke · 10-11-2011 12:03PM

She will miss her gardeners, Barack and Lizzie.

DEFTLEFTHAND · 10-11-2011 12:11PM

She took every perk going and refused to cut down on the expensive trappings of the office. For instance firing up the government jet for a trip to Letterkenny with the presidential car following in tow.. Disgraceful antics.

_feedback_ · 10-11-2011 12:20PM

Heard a nice story on the radio about her. A little girl sent a letter and in the letter she casually said to say hello to her Dad when she was visiting Lebanon in the near future.

She visited Lebanon, mentioned the girls Dad in her speech, saying hello from the daughter, and made sure she got a photo with him afterwards. When she got back, she wrote a personal letter back to the little girl telling her that she did indeed meet her Dad.

Thought it was a nice story.

Skullsri · 10-11-2011 12:26PM

Highly over paid over rated hand shaking ribbon cutting puppet..7 years and all she will be rememberd for is bringing the queen over for a few days.. Farse

foxyboxer · 10-11-2011 12:27PM

Meh.

LeixlipRed · 10-11-2011 12:27PM

elviscostello wrote: »

Heard a nice story on the radio about her. A little girl sent a letter and in the letter she casually said to say hello to her Dad when she was visiting Lebanon in the near future.

She visited Lebanon, mentioned the girls Dad in her speech, saying hello from the daughter, and made sure she got a photo with him afterwards. When she got back, she wrote a personal letter back to the little girl telling her that she did indeed meet her Dad.

Thought it was a nice story.

250k a year, she'd want to be nice.

DEFTLEFTHAND · 10-11-2011 12:31PM

LeixlipRed wrote: »

250k a year, she'd want to be nice.

Don't forget she was on 325k plus perks up till last year.

fishy fishy · 10-11-2011 12:32PM

ya, whatever, who??

How so Joe · 10-11-2011 12:37PM

Skullsri wrote: »

Highly over paid over rated hand shaking ribbon cutting puppet..7 years and all she will be rememberd for is bringing the queen over for a few days.. Farse

14 years, no?

fishy fishy · 10-11-2011 12:42PM

How so Joe wrote: »

14 years, no?

was she not part of the ahearne brigade?

Mental Mickey · 10-11-2011 12:44PM

How so Joe wrote: »

14 years, no?

LOL EPIC EPIC FAIL on "skullsri"'s behalf. Couldn't get his/her facts right before making a point.

Mental Mickey · 10-11-2011 12:45PM

Skullsri wrote: »

Highly over paid over rated hand shaking ribbon cutting puppet..7 years and all she will be rememberd for is bringing the queen over for a few days.. Farse

Get your facts right.

the groutch · 10-11-2011 12:46PM

she did nothing at all for the country, and will be forgotten about five minutes after Michael D. takes charge.

ItsAWindUp · 10-11-2011 12:48PM

She's no Mary Robinson.....

Skullsri · 10-11-2011 12:50PM

Ha ha ha wow some one got it wrong on the internet take it easy keyboard warriors...14 years 7 years doesnt matter..14 years just makes my point all the more valid..

ballsymchugh · 10-11-2011 12:52PM

LK_Dave wrote: »

She was a hypocrite

Treated the Pope with contempt by not wearing a hat when she met him but covering up when meeting mullahs or travelling in the Islamic world.
Did not raise any noticeable objection when she signed the protection of PLC debt to sovereign thus enslaving this and the next generation.
Did not object to denying the Irish people a voice when she stood unopposed for re-election for her second term due to a cosy agreement between the political parties.

We are well rid of her and her golf playing hubby

treating the pope with contempt....hmm. can open, worms escaping fast..

anyway, the president doesn't have the power to refuse to sign a finance bill.

did anyone, other than dana, hint at running for election in 2004? cosy agreement between the parties is not her doing.

ItsAWindUp · 10-11-2011 12:53PM

LK_Dave wrote: »

She was a hypocrite

Treated the Pope with contempt by not wearing a hat when she met him but covering up when meeting mullahs or travelling in the Islamic world.
Did not raise any noticeable objection when she signed the protection of PLC debt to sovereign thus enslaving this and the next generation.
Did not object to denying the Irish people a voice when she stood unopposed for re-election for her second term due to a cosy agreement between the political parties.

We are well rid of her and her golf playing hubby

What a load of nonsense.

vampire of kilmainham · 11-11-2011 02:22AM

most of yis here are talkin rubbish mary mc aleese was a great president it will be hard to get one as good as her again so there:p:p:p

challengemaster · 11-11-2011 02:38AM

Has to be said, the president does essentially nothing

darragh16 · 11-11-2011 02:41AM

Her and Martin are in the Aras tonight, smearing sh*t on the walls and clogging all of the jacks as a special leaving present.

14 years of that woman, would ye expect anything less??

randylonghorn · 11-11-2011 03:53AM

challengemaster wrote: »

Has to be said, the president does essentially nothing

Not true, actually. The main role is as the public face of the state, much like a type of ambassador to everywhere. A good president in one sense will never achieve anything concrete ... they don't make policy, pass laws, etc. etc. ... but they can *help* to achieve a lot by oiling all sorts of wheels.

I know an ex-Uni. president for example who swears that Mary Robinson managed more in 5 minutes to make a bi-lateral agreement with a foreign university happen than he and his team had achieved in 2 days. Suddenly, it was a done deal ... because his foreign counterpart felt that the fact that the President of Ireland had not only welcomed him (and with a sentence or two in his own language!) but had done her homework and could talk to him about why he was here was a mark of respect / honour.

And the income / net gain to that university from international students coming here since is probably the equivalent of Robinson's salary for several years. For 5 minutes of her time.

The President's constitutional role is actually only a small part of the overall package these days.

Arianna_26 · 11-11-2011 03:57AM

You know as a Galwegian, I should be really excited about Michael D becoming president but tbh I'm not.

I'm really going to miss Mary McAleese and Martin McAleese because any time I heard them speak they knew what they were talking about. They did this country proud over the past 14 years and I think today is a sad day.

I wish them all the best for the future. May they live long and prosper.

ColeTrain · 11-11-2011 04:01AM

It's a bit of a farce how little the president actually does when you look back on her 14 years.

I think the recent election and it's mud slinging contest gave us a welcome distraction. I propose we get rid of Michael D and hold a seven year general election. Was a bit of craic looking back on it.

Pompey Magnus · 11-11-2011 04:04AM

Arianna_26 wrote: »

You know as a Galwegian, I should be really excited about Michael D becoming president but tbh I'm not.

I'm really going to miss Mary McAleese and Martin McAleese because any time I heard them speak they knew what they were talking about.

On what subjects are you worried Michael D won't know what he's talking about?

Arianna_26 · 11-11-2011 04:09AM

ColeTrain wrote: »

It's a bit of a farce how little the president actually does when you look back on her 14 years.

Well since she helped build bridges between the north and south of Ireland and she welcomed the British Queen to Irish soil for the first time I don't think you could consider her a farce.

I think that if you look more closely at things, than the layman might, you will see just how powerful an effect Mary McAleese and her husband have had... I think it's very bad form to write her off as nothing.

daddydick · 11-11-2011 04:10AM

There are a lot of people spouting crap on this thread.

Mary was a great President and will be remembered as that

ColeTrain · 11-11-2011 04:15AM

Arianna_26 wrote: »

Well since she helped build bridges between the north and south of Ireland and she welcomed the British Queen to Irish soil I don't think you could consider her a farce.

I think that if you look more closely at things, than the layman might, you will see just how powerful an effect Mary McAleese and her husband have had... I think it's very bad form to write her off as nothing.

I didn't actually call her a farce, just the job itself.

She welcomed the Queen alright but should that justify her salary? Also, do you think that in itself makes her 13 previous years to be completely overlooked?

I think the average person wouldn't have the opinion that she did anything "powerful".

Pompey Magnus · 11-11-2011 04:23AM

ColeTrain wrote: »

I think the average person wouldn't have the opinion that she did anything "powerful".

She kept her head down and didn't make any massively obvious f*ck-ups so she certainly gets a pass mark for her time in the role.

It was a bland, instantly forgettable 2 terms but she didn't show up the country on the global stage so that is something to be thankful of anyway.

Arianna_26 · 11-11-2011 04:27AM

ColeTrain wrote: »

I didn't actually call her a farce, just the job itself.

She welcomed the Queen alright but should that justify her salary? Also, do you think that in itself makes her 13 previous years to be completely overlooked?

I think the average person wouldn't have the opinion that she did anything "powerful".

I didn't say she was powerful as a person just the effect she had at times as president. I think she justified the salary a lot more than the incoming president to be fair. She was good at her job and she did the best she could in any situation. The job has no power per se I understand that but Mary McAleese made the best of that and did what she could. I don't think we, as Irish citizens, should underestimate the impact she has had despite the fact that no powers were written in stone for her.

ColeTrain · 11-11-2011 04:28AM

Pompey Magnus wrote: »

She kept her head down and didn't make any massively obvious f*ck-ups so she certainly gets a pass mark for her time in the role.

It was a bland, instantly forgettable 2 terms but she didn't show up the country on the global stage so that is something to be thankful of anyway.

I suppose that's the best we can expect which says a lot. No scandals, wore decent clothes, didn't run up any massive ESB bills in the Aras and had a nice public image. Let's see if Michael D can manage not to fall over when greeting other figureheads.

ColeTrain · 11-11-2011 04:35AM

Arianna_26 wrote: »

I didn't say she was powerful as a person just the effect she had at times as president. I think she justified the salary a lot more than the incoming president to be fair. She was good at her job and she did the best she could in any situation. The job has no power per se I understand that but Mary McAleese made the best of that and did what she could. I don't think we, as Irish citizens, should underestimate the impact she has had despite the fact that no powers were written in stone for her.

I don't see the effect personally. As Pompey said, she kept her head down and didn't cause any trouble. I think me or you could do a decent job as president. Maybe not as good as Mary but if I was paid her salary then you better believe I wouldn't be throwing house parties in the Phoniex park.

Arianna_26 · 11-11-2011 04:37AM

ColeTrain wrote: »

I don't see the effect personally. As Pompey said, she kept her head down and didn't cause any trouble. I think me or you could do a decent job as president. Maybe not as good as Mary but if I was paid her salary then you better believe I wouldn't be throwing house parties in the Phoniex park.

Hmm, maybe we best revisit this in 7 years and you can tell me who did a better job Mary or Michael D? That is if you keep track.

Pompey Magnus · 11-11-2011 04:37AM

ColeTrain wrote: »

Let's see if Michael D can manage not to fall over when greeting other figureheads.

It will be more interesting to see if they can avoid accidentally falling over him :pac:

Another thing I have to point out about Mary McAleese's presidency is that I honestly thing the Queen's visit was blown way out of proportion in terms of significance. Had it happened 30 or 40 years earlier it would have actually been massively significant but in 2011 it was very easy to pull off, the lack of any serious opposition to the visit showed it up for the non-event it should have been seen as.

ColeTrain · 11-11-2011 04:41AM

Arianna_26 wrote: »

Hmm, maybe we best revisit this in 7 years and you can tell me who did a better job Mary or Michael D? That is if you keep track.

I'll be keeping track alright, let's see if Micky D can bring over a controversial head of state and put on a show like Mary did.

See you in seven.

Mary McAleese - last day in office

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