Want to be President of Ireland? Here's what you'll need to qualify

Extra.ie​

10 hours ago

With the reign of President Michael D Higgins coming to an end later this year, the door to the Áras is wide open for any and all candidates who fancy a four year stint in the Phoenix Park.
While there has been much speculation about who will be Michael D's successor in recent months, a number of big names have also withdrawn their names from the running as of late.
This has us here at Extra.ie wondering, what are the qualifications, if any, to be able to run for president of the Emerald Isle? With the reign of President Michael D Higgins coming to an end later this year, the door to the Áras is wide open for any and all candidates who fancy a four year stint in the Phoenix Park. Pic:Well, firstly you have to be an Irish Citizen and aged 35 or older. You also have to be nominated by at least 20 members of the Oireachtas, or at least four local authorities.
However, if you are already a sitting head of state, then you can nominate yourself.
The race for the Áras, as its affectionately known, was opened wide this week with the possibility that retired RTE Liveline host Joe Duffy might put himself forward for the role of President of Ireland, but today (July 5), Joe made it clear that he has no intention of going after Michael D's job. The race for the Áras, as its affectionately known, was opened wide this week with the possibility that retired RTE Liveline host Joe Duffy might put himself forward for the role of President of Ireland, but today (July 5), Joe made it clear that he has no intention of going after Michael D's job. Pic: Andres Poveda
He wrote: 'Thanks, but to be absolutely clear I am NOT seeking a nomination from any politicians, local or national, for the office of President.
'I will not be adding anything further.' You couldn't make it clearer than that Joe.
So, back to the rules and qualifications needed for someone to be eligible to run for the office of President of Ireland. While there has been much speculation about who will be Michael D's successor in recent months, a number of big names have also withdrawn their names from the running as of late. Pic: President of Ireland's Office via PA Wire
Any election must take place at least 60 days before the current President's term of office runs out.
If the current President resigns, becomes incapacitated, is removed from office for whatever reason, or dies, then an election must be held within the following 60 days.
Voting is by secret ballot and based on proportional representation by a single transferable vote, and while most people choose to vote at their local polling stations, postal voting is also an option. Any election must take place at least 60 days before the current President's term of office runs out. Pic: Victor Reche/Shutterstock
And what happens if only one person is nominated, has no competition for the role, and is the only candidate? Then an election is obviously not needed, as happened in 2004 when Mary McAleese was inaugurated as President for a second term without an election, as she was the sole candidate.
The bigger question is – How much does it cost to run? Well, the spending limit, per candidate, is €750,000. Each candidate's election agent must tell the Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPO) how much the candidate spent.
There are also strict limits on the value of donations to candidates and each candidate's election agent must also tell the SIPO how much was received. One man who would probably take a good share of the popular vote would be Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary, but he ruled himself out of the job on Friday (July 4) while speaking to Claire Byrne on RTE Radio 1. Pic: Horacio Villalobos Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images
One man who would probably take a good share of the popular vote would be Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary, but he ruled himself out of the job on Friday (July 4) while speaking to Claire Byrne on RTE Radio 1.
He called the job of President of Ireland 'The most useless, valueless, wasteful job', before adding that he would not be interested in running for President as he already has a job that has value and is useful.
However, he did add that if Mairéad McGuinness were to throw her hat into the ring he would support her and he sent good wishes to anyone who plans on running but said 'It sure as hell would'nt be me'
So, the race is wide open folks, the job will be up for grabs for anyone who qualifies and fancies a four year stint among the deer, in the beautiful parkland mansion that is Áras an Uachtaráin.