Mary McAleese speaks to Ryan Tubridy about presidential race and why long campaigns are 'miserable'
Former President Mary McAleese said that Ireland's next presidential race should be rigorous and demanding but must avoid personal attacks between candidates.
McAleese spoke to Ryan Tubridy in an extended interview for the final episode of Season 3 of
The Bookshelf with Ryan Tubridy.
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She told Ryan that presidential campaigns should not be unnecessarily long. 'They're right [about] making a short campaign' she said of rumoured candidates who have not yet announced their intentions.
'If its going to be miserable, don't extend it.' She explained that shorter campaigns are just about 'getting] to know the person and testing them deeply.'
McAleese said that presidential elections are unique because 'it's about the person, you're not a policymaker. It's a moral and a pastoral space, not a political space.'
Ahead of the upcoming election, she told Ryan its important to 'let journalists and the people throw everything at you. You're going to be there for seven years and you're the primary ambassador of the country. People have to know. It's a rigorous interrogation, and if it's not rigorous, how do you know what they'll be like under stress?'
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However, McAleese warned against turning that scrutiny towards other candidates. 'What you should never do is be the interviewer of the others (other candidates),' she said.
Personal attacks between the candidates, I think that is utterly unacceptable.' McAleese shared that during her 1997 campaign one opponent made false claims that placed her family in danger. 'It was mean-spirited and agenda-driven,' she said.
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During the interview, McAleese congratulated Ryan on his recent engagement to Dr Clare Kambamettu.
She spoke at length about growing up in Ardoyne during the Troubles - sharing stories of attacks on family members, the murder of friends on her wedding day, and the bombing of her father's pub.
She spoke about the Omagh bombing in 1998 and how it was the lowest point in her presidency, and hosting the Special Olympics was the highlight, saying that the Opening Ceremony was 'absolutely surreal.' McAleese also spoke to Ryan about the experiences she had while working in RTÉ that led her to quit.
You can listen to the interview
here.
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