3 CHEERS..

FOR the Irish people who have nominated seven colourful candidates for the election for President of Ireland in a month's time. The field includes a former member of the IRA, a gay Senator, a winner of the Eurovision Song Contest and the star of Ireland's version of Dragon's Den. The role is essentially symbolic and although none of the candidates ranks with the predecessors - Mary McAleese and Mary Robinson - they show how much Ireland has changed in the past few decades.