The President’s decision to inject herself into the debate over the legality of the conflict in the Gulf should surprise no one. Catherine Connolly made it clear during her election campaign that she would use the platform to speak truth to power as she sees it.
Her description of violations of international law by the protagonists in the conflict as “shocking and numbing” will be seen by many as a vindication of their decision to vote for her. Some will feel she did not go far enough, and others will be relieved that her criticism was measured. It is also worth noting that her comments are in tune with those expressed by many other heads of state, not least the Pope.
The Government’s carefully calibrated if pointed response to the remarks was equally predictable and amounted to a gentle reminder that responsibility for foreign affairs rests with it.
It is abundantly clear from the popularity of the previous president, Michael D Higgins, and from Connolly’s own election that there is space in the Irish political firmament for a voice that seeks to espouse the values of the nation separately to the necessary ethical compromises that are involved in the political reality of governing. Up to a point, it suits the government of the day for the President to fulfil this role – in real political terms, Connolly’s intervention comes with zero cost to the Government – and it has been a feature of the previous three presidencies.
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From this perspective the weekend’s exchange can be seen as the two sides feeling one another out as they seek to establish a working relationship. It is notable in this regard that Connolly did not identify who she believed to have broken international law. To have named the United States and Israel would almost certainly have caused diplomatic problems. Both sides are probably happy enough with the outcome.
Connolly will know well that the success of her presidency will be defined by whether she can emulate her recent predecessors’ ability to tread the fine line between her constitutional role and the mandate she received to show moral leadership.
