Referendum On Votes For Nordies (& The Diaspora)

[backstothewall]

I was far from convinced that this would happen any time soon. It seemed too much like hoping for turkeys to vote for Christmas to expect a FG government would do anything other than boot the ball into the long grass.

But then they signed up Mark Durkan. Even the most ferocious critics of the SDLP would recognise the calibre of the man. If he is elected this summer he will be perfectly positioned to have a crack at the Aras after Miggeldy. It's certainly a much more obvious plan than him becoming an MEP for Dublin!

So on balance I now feel like this is actually going to happen. Which in turn throws up questions about who the vote should be extended to and under what circumstances.

[Eminence Grise]

He won't get elected. Not until he works out how to use Google Maps for Dublin before the press conference.

[backstothewall]

Sounds like it's 50:50 he will be elected but if he isn't I'd assume he'll end up in the Seanad eventually. According the Durkan he was originally approached last year to take the seat there which was eventually filled by Ian Marshall.

Perfectly plausible to run for the presidency from either the European Parliament of the Seanad.

[NeverFeltBetter]

It's seven long years (hopefully) until the next Presidential election, and it's way too early for parties to be favouring someone for that contest.

[backstothewall]

It's seven long years (hopefully) until the next Presidential election, and it's way too early for parties to be favouring someone for that contest.

Only if the President serves the full 7 years. He will be 78 next month. It wouldn't be a bad idea for any party to have a name in mind. Just in case.