# Michael D Higgins
This month
March 2023
# St Patrick
President Higgins links struggles of migrants to our patron saint in St Patrick's Day message
The president stated that ‘a poisonous xenophobia, new and recalled, has taken hold in so many places’.
# Oscars
President hails ‘remarkable year’ for Irish film as An Irish Goodbye and Richard Baneham triumph
President Higgins said success at this year’s Oscars is ‘testament to the hard work of so many people over recent decades’.
# SPHE
President says schools should teach ‘sexuality in fullest sense’
Earlier this week, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said it ‘makes sense’ to teach kids about transgender people.
Last year
2022
# Michael D Higgins
President pays tribute to Private Sean Rooney and Creeslough victims in Christmas speech
The president highlighted Ireland’s solidarity with Ukrainian refugees spending their first Christmas away from home.
# Executive Decisions
Cabinet approves international surrogacy policy proposals with aim of giving 100s of families a 'route to recognition'
A busy Cabinet session also saw Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien bring draft laws to overhaul Ireland’s planning system.
# tributes paid
Country in shock after 'terrible tragedy' in Donegal, says President
President Michael D Higgins offered his condolences to the community in Creeslough.
# Decade of Centenaries
Taoiseach, president reflect on 'complexity' of Civil War at cultural centenary event
A cultural event was held in the National Concert Hall today.
# Northern Ireland
President Higgins meets King Charles as politicians come together in Belfast
Taoiseach Micheál Martin and UK Prime Minister Liz Truss were spotted engaging in a lengthy conversation ahead of proceedings.
# statement
Sabina Higgins issues statement explaining why Ukraine letter was placed on Áras website
The wife of president Michael D Higgins courted controversy after she wrote a letter in the Irish Times calling for ceasefire negotiations.
# Criticism
Questions remain about Sabina Higgins' letter on conflict in Ukraine, politicians say
A spokesperson for Michael D Higgins said the president has been “unequivocal in his condemnation” of Russia’s invasion.
# Ukraine
Michael D Higgins reiterates condemnation of Ukraine war after controversy over Sabina letter
A recent letter written by Sabina Higgins to the Irish Times has been criticised over the past few days.
# russian invasion
FF senator calls on Michael D Higgins to express Irish support for Ukraine after Sabina letter
Sabina Higgins, in a letter to the Irish Times, called for both Ukraine and Russia to “agree to a ceasefire and negotiations”.
# catherine corless
Tuam mother and baby home site to be excavated after President signs Burials Bill into law
The legislation will also allow for the excavation and reburial of remains at the sites of other former institutions.
# birth information bill
Adopted people will finally get access to records after President signs Bill into law
The Bill provides for the release of an adopted person’s birth certificate and early life information.
# Your Say
Poll: Was President Higgins right to speak out about Ireland's housing 'failure'?
President Michael D Higgins’ has described Ireland’s housing crisis as a “disaster”.
# Housing
'President Higgins had to come out and call you to account': TDs attack Govt housing policy in Dáil
President Michael D Higgins’ has described Ireland’s housing crisis as a “disaster”.
# Michael D Higgins
'Our great, great failure': President expresses anger over housing 'disaster'
He was speaking at the opening of a centre for homeless people in Kildare.
# Visit
British Labour leader Keir Starmer to meet political leaders in Dublin amid NI Protocol row
Starmer will meet Taoiseach Micheál Martin and President Michael D Higgins during the visit.
# Social Media
President Higgins hits out at attempts of billionaires to control online discussion
Billionaire Elon Musk last week began the process of acquiring Twitter for $44 billion.
# Michael D Higgins
Supreme Court rules President immune from EU regulations around public disclosure of information
The Right To Know Group brought proceedings after it failed to get certain information following two separate requests to the Office of Secretary General to the President.
# Eire 6
Howth's WWII 'Eire 6' neutrality sign unveiled by Michael D Higgins following restoration
The EIRE 6 sign was one of 83 aerial recognition signs built around the Irish coast during the Second World War.
# Coronavirus
President Higgins is holding a Covid remembrance ceremony at Áras an Uachtaráin today
An oak tree will be planted as a lasting memorial to victims of the pandemic.
# Uachtarán na hÉireann
President Higgins calls for ceasefire in Ukraine during St Patrick's Day message
Higgins said the sacrifices made by frontline workers across society during the pandemic should not be forgotten.
# Áras An Uachtaráin
President Higgins and his wife Sabina have tested positive for Covid-19
The President is isolating and will continue to work from home.
# 50TH ANNIVERSARY
'A terrible atrocity': Thousands attend Bloody Sunday memorial to remember victims
Several events are taking place in Derry to commemorate victims on the 50th anniversary of the massacre.
Relatives of those killed and injured on Bloody Sunday attended a remembrance walk to honour those who died
Micheál Martin took part in the remembrance walk and laid a wreath at a ceremony held afterwards
President Higgins will later say the tragic events of 50 years ago today "reverberated across this island and around the world"
# RIP
'Voice of the West': Tributes as former RTÉ correspondent Jim Fahy dies aged 75
Fellow journalists and those employed by the station paid tribute to their former colleague today on social media.
All time
# christmas address
Michael D Higgins: Irish people's response to Covid challenges has been one of courage and resilience
Uachtarán na hÉireann used his Christmas address to praise people for their “deep commitment to others”.
# John Twiss
President Higgins set to sign posthumous pardon for man executed in 1895
The pardon will be the fifth Presidential pardon since 1937 and the third posthumous pardon.
# Derry
Princess Anne unveils stone to mark Northern Ireland’s centenary
She visited several venues across Co Derry today.
# The North
Coveney and Chambers to represent Government at Northern Ireland centenary service
Last month, President Michael D Higgins announced he had declined his invitation.
# Criticism
DUP claims Michael D Higgins has ‘set back north-south relations’ by not attending service
DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson has criticised Michael D Higgins.
# Your Say
Poll: Was President Higgins right to decline the invitation to Northern Ireland event?
Michael D Higgins said that the event was a political one and could not attend.
# Le Tour
'France will remain a faithful friend': Macron meets President Higgins on first official visit
The visit is part of the French President’s pledge to travel to the capitals of all 27 EU states.
# bleu et vert
Emmanuel Macron to visit Dublin next week for meetings with Taoiseach and President Higgins
His time in Áras an Úachtaráin will also feature “a meeting with a number of prominent writers and thinkers”
# Paralympics Ireland
President Higgins sends best wishes to Ireland's Paralympics team
The 29 athletes representing Ireland at the Paralympics in Japan will compete in nine sports.
# tokyo2020
President congratulates Aidan Walsh on 'remarkable' Olympic bronze medal win
The Belfast boxer was forced to withdraw from the semi-final of the men’s welterweight competition due to injury.
# Unprecedented
President Higgins raises concerns about volume of legislation he's asked to consider in a short period
The Ceann Comhairle and Cathaoirleach have said they “appreciated the concerns” raised by President Higgins.
# Violence
Gardaí examining social media posts referring to Michael D Higgins
Anti-lockdown groups on social media and Telegram channels criticised the signing of the law which paves the way for indoor dining.
# CLIMATE ACTION BILL
Carbon neutral by 2050: President Higgins signs Climate Action Bill into law
“Today is a landmark day,” said Green Party leader Eamon Ryan.
# Indoor dining
Taoiseach says 'there's an obligation' on everyone to follow indoor dining rules ahead of Monday's reopening
A government statement said good indoor ventilation is “essential”.
