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Seanad Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 8 Nov 2011

Vol. 211 No. 4

Election of President

Tá scéala faighte agam ó Cheann Comhairimh Toghcháin an Uachtaráin a chur in iúl dom go ndearna sí, ar an 29 Deireadh Fómhair 2011, a dhearbhú Michael D. Higgins a bheith tofa ina Uachtarán ar Éirinn.

I have received a communication from the presidential election returning officer informing me that she has, on 29 October 2011, declared Michael D. Higgins to have been elected President of Ireland.

I take the opportunity to warmly congratulate the President-elect, Mr. Michael D. Higgins. He was first nominated to this House by the then Taoiseach, Liam Cosgrave, in 1973 and also served with great distinction in the 17th Seanad from 1983 to 1987 where he excelled in his contributions on matters of social justice and equality. He used the House to highlight many humanitarian issues in places such as Nicaragua and El Salvador. On my own behalf and on that of the House, I wish him, his wife, Sabina, and family every best wish for his term as the ninth President of Ireland. It is appropriate that the leaders of the various groups and parties in the Seanad be allowed to make a brief statement to express their good wishes.

On my own behalf and that of the House, I warmly congratulate Mr. Michael D. Higgins on his election as the ninth President of Ireland. Following a long and distinguished career in Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann, Mr. Michael D. Higgins brings to the Office of President a wealth of experience and knowledge that will render him an excellent President and ambassador for Ireland. Over the course of his long and distinguished career as a poet, scholar, academic and public servant, including as Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht, he has made a significant contribution over the years. He is equally well known as a champion of causes of social justice and equality both nationally and internationally. I had the experience of working with him on the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and know him to be a man of integrity and intellect, qualities that will serve him well in his new role as Uachtarán na hÉireann. His considerable experience and passionate commitment to social justice are exactly the attributes we need in our Head of State. I have no doubt that he will make a very valuable contribution to the Office of President in the next seven years.

I wish to clarify that is just party group leaders to speak now, but other Senators may be able to speak briefly on the follow up.

Déanaim comhghairdeas le Michael D. Ó hUigínn mar Uachtarán tofa na hÉireann. I had the pleasure of serving with him on the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and I agree wholeheartedly with the Leader of the House. His record in human rights and standing up for those who need our assistance, the weaker people in our society and across the world is exceptional. I have no doubt that he will perform his duties as President to the highest level of his ability and will do us all proud. He has had a distinguished career in both Houses — the Seanad and Dáil. Given how he conducted himself during the presidential election campaign, and as a legislator and a champion for the oppressed, it is clear he will do our country proud. On behalf of the Fianna Fáil group, I wish him well on taking up his post on Friday. I have no doubt that he will be an excellent President and will continue the excellent work done by an tUachtarán, Mary McAleese, and her predecessor, Mary Robinson.

I join the Cathaoirleach and the other party leaders in congratulating Mr. Michael D. Higgins, our ninth President. He has had a long and distinguished career in both the Seanad and Dáil as well as in the Cabinet and representing Ireland abroad in different capacities. I am particularly proud to stand here and welcome his election on behalf of the Labour group of Senators. Each of the 12 Labour Party Senators nominated Mr. Michael D. Higgins personally. He was nominated by Labour Oireachtas Members and as a party we are very happy to have nominated him. As he said at the count in Dublin Castle, he will of course be a President for all the people. I know he will be a President of whom we will all be proud, not just those who canvassed for him, but also those who did not and supported others. He will be a President who will make us all proud and will represent Ireland abroad with dignity, integrity and honour. I am very proud to be able to welcome his election. I wish him, his wife, Sabina, and their family very well.

With my colleagues in the Independent group I extend warm congratulations to the President elect, Mr. Michael D. Higgins, known affectionately throughout Ireland as Michael D. No doubt he is inspired by his love of poetry, the arts and the Irish language. Michael D. Higgins was an innovative and visionary Minister for the Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht. He has been a consistent champion of human rights and social justice and equality in Ireland and internationally. Michael D. Higgins is currently adjunct professor of the Irish Centre for Human Rights in Galway and with the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and Attorney General is a past student of NUI Galway. He has spoken of the importance of inter-generational solidarity and of the important role young people will play in his Presidency as he works to shape Ireland's future. He has also indicated his intention to focus on young people on the margins of society, in particular those in institutional care and to visit normally closed institutions. I believe these are excellent signals for his presidential term. I wish him the best in his well deserved role as Uachtarán na hÉireann.

Ar an gcéad dul síos, ba mhaith liom comhghairdeas a dhéanamh le Micheál D. Ó hUiginn, Uachtarán tofa, lena bhean chéile, Sabina, agus lena chlann go léir. I am pleased our ninth President will be, Michael D. Higgins, a friend of many years standing.

I got to know Michael D. Higgins through our mutual friend, the late Dr. Noel Browne. Michael D. Higgins and I were the only two public representatives to attend the funeral of Dr. Browne in Galway, which I thought quite extraordinary. Perhaps that is because the late Dr. Noel Browne, Michael D. Higgins and I stand for the liberal agenda. I am glad that those who did not want a liberal as President now find themselves somewhat discomforted. There is no doubt but that Michael D. Higgins comes from the great liberal tradition that cherishes equality, human rights, decency and fair treatment for all citizens. He is also a thinker. I was dismayed to hear people suggest during the election campaign that philosophers and philosophy were all wrong and were somehow above or beneath the people. I believe the people have a deep hunger for wise ideas which they and I believe we get from Michael D. Higgins.

I am glad that 67% of my second preference votes went to Michael D. Higgins. That helped to get him elected. As far as I am concerned that was the positive element of the entire election process. If one looks back at Michael D. Higgins's record, he epitomises excellent and unique qualities in Ireland, in particular his devotion to the Irish language, which is not just lip-service. Michael D. is a fluent and beautiful speaker and writer of the Irish language. He is also a poet, a thinker, an academic and a person who probes ideas and is not afraid of examining them, which is extremely important for this country at this time.

Michael D. Higgins will be a great President, one with an interest in human rights and equality. He is also always gentlemanly. There was very little that was unpleasant or unsavoury in the discussions between the candidates of the presidential election, although I cannot say that in respect of all sections of society.

We cannot discuss the election campaign now.

No. Throughout the entire campaign, Michael D. Higgins behaved with graciousness, dignity and generosity, which is a good indication of the manner in which he will behave as President of Ireland. I look forward to attending his inauguration.

On behalf of the Sinn Féin Party, I extend a warm comhghairdeas to Michael D. Higgins, whom I believe will be an outstanding President for all the people of Ireland. I have no doubt that he will bring his unique qualities and attributes to the job of President. He will most certainly be a President of whom we can all be proud. It is hoped he will be a President that will inspire people, in particular young people. Given the current situation in which we find ourselves we need leaders to inspire. I believe Michael D. Higgins is one such leader. I am proud the people voted in large numbers for him and that he will be our President. As I stated, I have no doubt he will be an outstanding President for this country and for people outside of Ireland, including the Irish Diaspora in whom I know Michael D. Higgins has a fond interest.

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