FG's presidential candidate Mary Banotti MEP is still affected by the tone of the campaign, more others than hers. When she made her post-election appearance at the Euro Parliament in Strasbourg this week she described her welcome as one of "flowers, love and embraces".
There was much international coverage so "all the MEPs were aware that I had been a candidate. They are quite pleased that it has raised the profile of the parliament and their own jobs." She took three days off before plunging back into Euro work. "People have been wonderful. . . I am recognised everywhere now."
She may have lost the election, but the exposure has copper-fastened her Dublin seat. "Given the reaction at home and in Europe, I sometimes feel as if I won."