Friday, 10 September 2010

Mr President?


It is not everyday that your colleague – or to be more precise – your boss puts his/her name forward for consideration for one of the highest offices in the land. 

As has been reported quite widely across the Irish media in the last 24 hours, Fergus Finlay has, as had been widely anticipated, declared his intention to seek the nomination of the Labour Party to run for the office of President of Ireland

With the current president Mary McAleese’s term ending in November 2011 an election for a new president of Ireland will be held in October 2011 and it already promises to be an interesting campaign.

Whilst the Irish presidency is largely a ceremonial office, the President does exercise certain powers with absolute discretion and as the current incumbent and her predecessor have shown, the office can also be used effectively to unite people and bring some sense of pride about the country during these fraught and uncertain times.

I have no doubt Fergus Finlay would make a terrific President of Ireland. Of course, as a card carrying and active member of the Labour Party, I am totally biased in saying this but I do genuinely believe that he has all the attributes, experience and capabilities required for the role. And did I mention he is by far the most likeable, humble and approachable CEO I have had the pleasure to work with.

The road to the Áras an Uachtaráin should be an interesting one!

Bring it on, I say.