RACE FOR THE ÁRAS:LABOUR PRESIDENTIAL candidate Michael D Higgins yesterday urged people to reclaim the concept of a republic based on equality and solidarity as he paid tribute to those whose idealism led to the foundation of the State.
Speaking during the Munster leg of his presidential campaign in Cork, Mr Higgins said: “It is time that the people claimed back the concept of a republic which is defined, not by territory, but by radical citizenship based on a sense of equality, solidarity – these values are at the genuine root of republics which recognise the dignity of each citizen.
“In a real republic, the right to shelter, food security, education, a good and sustainable environment, and freedom from fear and insecurity from childhood to old age must be the benchmarks – a citizenship floor, a minimum set of rights which are non-negotiable.”
He said the past 15 years “has witnessed a radical individualism that aggressively defined the worth of citizens in terms of their attributed wealth. The consequences have not only been economic and social, but have contributed to an ethical vacuum which threatens social cohesion.”
Mr Higgins said while he was inspired by the experiences of his father and his comrades in the War of Independence, he also respected the island’s other tradition, that of unionism.
He said several important centenaries will occur during the next presidency, including those of the Ulster Covenant in 1912, the establishment of the Ulster Volunteers in 1914 and the first World War.
It was important these and the founding of the Irish Volunteers in 1914, the Irish Home Rule Act of 1914 and the Easter Rising in 1916 were marked in a way that can be explained across the community divide in the North, he said.