THE MOST IMPRESSIVE..

THE presidential race has been such a shambles, some are wondering if we need the role at all.

- BY PAT FLANAGAN

The two-horse race of politically backed candidates Heather Humphreys and Catherine Connolly - along with the Jim Gavin fiasco - risks undermining the position of the Head of State in the eyes of the public.

But there have been some outstanding presidents down the decades who, despite limited and narrowly-defined powers, sought to change the country for the better.

From Douglas Hyde to Michael D Higgins there has been nine presidents since the office was founded in 1938, with five of them successfully elected to a second term.

Michael D Higgins is regarded as having been a transformative president to the extent he was often accused of being overtly political, especially in his comments about the housing crisis and the Gaza conflict.

Most teenagers will have known only Michael D as their president as he has been in office for 14 years and during that time he has redefined the role of president and caused some controversy in doing so.

The gaeilgoir poet is regarded as having pushed to the limit the constraints of the office by speaking out about the housing crisis describing it as "a disaster" and implying it is not being helped by government policies.

NATION