The President, Mrs McAleese's critical opening address at the National Conference of Priests in Dublin on Monday caused concern in some circles that she was overstepping her role as non-political head of State. But was her script cleared by the Government? Junior minister, Tom Kitt, said on RTE's Questions and Answers that it had been seen by the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern. Not so, says a Government spokesman. The President's scripts, he said, are not automatically checked by the Taoiseach's office and are only vetted if she is speaking on a matter of Government policy or she is abroad.
The freedom Mrs McAleese enjoys contrasts somewhat with Mary Robinson's position when Charles Haughey was Taoiseach. Early in her presidency, Haughey maintained that, under the Constitution, if the president was addressing the nation everything she said in public had to be government approved. Up to 90 per cent of her speeches were submitted as a courtesy, but only those to the Oireachtas or substantive statements overseas were submitted for approval.
Some wonder if the relaxed attitude of this Government towards Mrs McAleese is because she is a FF president. Will she have a more tense and difficult time if John Bruton takes over?