President’s comments and salary

The Galway races and an ‘unjustifiably high’ wage

Sir, – That President Michael D Higgins was extremely disrespectful to Prof Louise Richardson when referring to her as a person with a very large DBE is not in doubt.

Now that Irish jockey Rachel Blackmore has been awarded an honorary MBE for her contribution to horseracing, can we expect a comment from the President on Rachel’s MBE should she ride a winner at the Galway races? – Yours, etc,

DONAL O SULLIVAN,

Co Dublin.

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Sir, – While discussing remuneration from the public purse in connection with a certain celebrity culture, now might be the appropriate time to discuss whether the salary for the President of Ireland is justified at nearly a quarter of a million euros annually, excluding perks of accommodation and lifelong index-linked pensions.

For a population of 5 million, compared with our European neighbours, it seems unjustifiably high, and way out of kilter.

Who will start the ball rolling in this court of public opinion? – Yours, etc,

MARY GARDINER,

Delgany,

Co Wicklow.