EDITORIAL - PRESIDENT OF THE PEOPLE

But, we as a nation owe her a great deal for the manner by which she has transformed the office into the prestigious post that it is, and the great honour she has brought to her native Mayo and to Ireland as a whole.

The role of President will never be the same again. Whoever fills her shoes in the Park will have a hard act to follow. The position as the country's number one citizen can no longer be regarded as a retirement home for ageing politicians.

It is a very demanding job and one which Mrs. Robinson revolutionised, leaving it now a very onerous and time consuming position.

Mrs. Robinson's name is known and respected worldwide. She has travelled extensively leaving her mark on every State and private visit she has made during her seven years in office.

She said her decision not to stand was very difficult and was made with great reluctance. It must have been, seeing the determination by which she went about her tasks and the way she brought the presidency to the people of the country.

She was always available to visit towns and villages, giving of her time to enhance many the occasion which was organised in her honour.

She became a real President of the people and with a purpose. She mingled among them as none before had done, showing the office at its best and creating an awareness and acceptance for the post.

We were honoured to have had her perform the official opening of our new offices last Holy Thursday. That was only one of several visits to Mayo and Castlebar during her term in office. Indeed she visited Castlebar again in October for the Celebration of the Senses festival. None of her predecessors can match her record.

Her international standing, too, is unmatched. She has projected Ireland as a caring nation on the worldwide stage. Hopefully she will be able to continue with a career in keeping with her superb qualifications.

Mary Robinson we are proud of you. We thank you for the change, the breath of fresh air which you brought to the Aras. No doubt you will not be retiring to your lakeside home at Massbrooke. So we wish you and your family well in the future in whatever new and challenging position you find yourself.

As to the speculation which is already rife as to who will be put forward to contest the Presidential Election, it is difficult to imagine who could do a better job.

No matter who is selected to replace her, if the presidency is contested, they will have a lot to do to equal her dominance and charisma.