Higgins cannot be beaten – but his rivals still have to try to at least win back their election expenses

Every candidate needs to claim at least 12.5 per cent of the vote to be able to claim a maximum refund of €200,000 in election expenses

The six presidential candidates with Pat Kenny at the Virgin Media debate. Pic: RolliingNews.ie

There are just four days left for the rivals of Michael D Higgins to get enough votes to cover their election expenses.

This is no joke; every candidate needs to claim at least 12.5 per cent of the vote to be able to claim a maximum refund of €200,000 in election expenses.

And running a presidential campaign is expensive. In 2011, each of the seven candidates spent an average of €300,000.

Michael D ...