McGuinness vows to be President who is independent of the Government

Speaking today Presidential candidate Martin McGuinness said he would be a president who is independent of Government.  McGuinness said it was important the president act in the people’s interest in respect of his or her constitutional duties and not be open to pressure of influence from those in government.

Martin McGuinness said

“There have been some suggestions made by Government Ministers that the role of the President is to act as a spokesperson for the government, particularly in oversees engagements.  This is not the role of the President. Those comments illustrate why we need a president who is independent of Government.  Indeed they demonstrate a misunderstanding of the role of president.

“If elected as Uachtaran na hEireann my foremost concern will be to uphold the constitution – to be a people’s president by putting the people’s interest first.  I will uphold the constitution, stand up for Ireland and stand up for Irish sovereignty.

“What the people of Ireland need is a president who will not respond to pressure from government to ignore his or her constitutional obligations  -  for example the dissolution of the Dáil or the reference of constitutionally questionable bills to the Supreme Court.   I will be in the people’s corner – not the governments.

“I am of course committed to working with whatever government is in office to promote  Ireland oversees. Promoting Ireland for inward investment is something which I along with Peter Robonson have dedicated considerable time to in our roles and as Deputy First Minister and First Minister in the North.”