Sir, – I think it is remarkably generous of the President to relieve the Taoiseach and Tánaiste of their onerous duties by regularly offering his own opinions on a range of domestic and foreign policies, thus saving them the bother (“Von der Leyen’s approach to Israel-Hamas conflict thoughtless and reckless, says President Higgins”, News, October 16th).
Were St Patrick to return to Ireland today he would surely use the President as the modern day three-in-one paradigm rather than a shamrock. – Yours, etc,
KEVIN O’SULLIVAN,
Letterkenny,
Council to run the rule over Portobello house revival as Hugh Wallace deviates from the plan
Patrick Honohan: Ireland surfed the wave of globalisation as long as we could. Here’s what we should do next
Cathy Gannon: ‘I used to ride my pony to school, tie him up and ride him back’
The Guildford Four’s Paddy Armstrong: ‘People thought I was going to be bitter and twisted when I came out of prison’
Co Donegal.
Sir, – When will our President show some respect for the constitutional position of the office he holds? – Yours, etc,
BRIAN SPAIN,
Dublin 9.
Sir, – I wish to express my disgust at President Higgins’s intemperate, rude, and unprofessional comments about European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen.
Not for the first time, President Higgins has stepped outside of his constitutional remit to meddle and interfere in policy areas which he lacks the authority and information to meddle in.
He would be well advised to reflect on his conduct. – Yours, etc,
JASON FITZHARRIS,
Swords,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – I think it is worthwhile stating that President Higgins, while he was elected to represent the people of Ireland, was also elected to be an apolitical president.
Therefore his comment concerning Ursula von der Leyen’s expressed opinion on the troubles in Israel were out of order, and he should be aware of that.
The holder of the office of president must not issue political opinions or statements.
Of course, Mr Higgins may hold political opinions, but he should keep them under wraps until such time as he is free to express them. – Yours, etc,
OWEN MORRISSY-MURPHY,
Skerries,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – I and others elected Michael D Higgins to be President of Ireland for all the people.
I did not elect him, or give him permission, to give his personal views on international conflicts, or criticise presidents of political unions we are members of, while holding the office of president. – Yours, etc,
TONY SHAW,
Dublin 2.