Page "Mary Robinson" Paragraph 18

Robinson remained in the Seanad for four more years, although at this point many of the issues she had campaigned for had been tackled.

Contraception had been legalised although heavily restricted, women were on juries, and the marriage bar on women in the civil service had been revoked.

To the surprise of many, she decided not to seek re-election to the senate in 1989.

One year later, however, Labour approached her about the Irish presidency, for which an election was to be held.

She thought she was being asked her legal advice about the type of policy programme party leader Dick Spring was proposing.

However, as she read the briefing notes, she began to realise that the programme was aimed at her.

After some consideration, she agreed to become the first Labour nominee for the presidency and the first woman candidate in what was only the second presidential election to be contested by three candidates since 1945.