Sir, – President Higgins claims his letter sending warm regards to the new president of the brutal regime in Tehran was a normal letter that he sends out when there is a new head of state in another country (News, September 23rd).
The head of state in the Islamic Republic of Iran is the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, not President Pezeshkian. Furthermore, President Higgins represents the Irish people, so perhaps when he sends letters congratulating politicians on winning elections in other countries, these letters could be published so we could all see them. I look forward to reading the letters he sent to Donald Trump, Viktor Orbán and Giorgia Meloni on their electoral victories. – Yours, etc,
PAUL WILLIAMS,
Kilkee,
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Co Clare.
Sir, – If President Higgins is convinced that his very effusive letter of congratulations to the new Iranian president, Masoud Pezeshkian, is entirely in order, why does publication of the letter cause him so much concern? Why does it matter who leaked or circulated the letter if he does not believe that warmly welcoming the appointment of a leader of a state that denies all rights to women is just normal diplomatic procedure?
President Higgins has form here. For example, he issued a eulogy on the death of Fidel Castro, despite Cuba’s very poor human rights record. – Yours, etc,
DONAL McGRATH,
Greystones,
Co Wicklow.
Sir, – I wonder will the Iranian president send Mr Higgins a “thank you” letter when his term comes to an end next year, or does he really know who he is or care? – Yours, etc,
JOHN K ROGERS,
Rathowen,
Co Westmeath.
A chara, – The contrived “controversy” over the standard letter by our President Michael D Higgins to his Iranian counterpart is full of froth but empty of substance.
Ireland has diplomatic relations with Iran, and it would have been inappropriate if our President had not sent the letter he did. What is most concerning, however, is that it appears that the Israeli embassy has actively intervened to generate this artificial controversy, presumably because the President is an outspoken critic of Israel’s vile campaign against the Palestinians in both Gaza and the West Bank.
The Israeli embassy should operate purely to inform itself of Irish public opinion and to present to our Government the views of Israel.
Any interference in our internal political debates is completely unacceptable; and, if the embassy cannot abide by normal diplomatic protocols, then it should be told to shut up shop. I, for one, warmly applaud our President for his firm and outspoken stance of support for the Palestinian people, no matter how much the Israeli embassy disapproves. – Is mise,
EOIN Ó MURCHÚ,
Cluain Dolcáin,
Baile Átha Cliath 22.
Sir, – All three letter writers published on September 24th were very critical of President Michael D Higgins with regard to various aspects of the letter he wrote to the recently “elected” Iranian president.
I too would have concerns especially pertaining to the “fallout” of the President’s letter but to consider him for nomination as “the worst president in the history of our State”, as suggested by David Clarke (Letters, September 24th) is not justifiable.
Our three most recent presidents, Mary Robinson, Mary McAleese and especially Michael D Higgins, have indeed probed and pushed the limits of the constitutional “specification” of Uachtarán na hÉireann. For this I am very thankful and, albeit that some of this “boundary pushing” may be objectionable, I sincerely hope that the office of President will never again be a retirement home for “favoured” politicians, where the incumbent signs Bills and hands out seals of office on days when he or she is not otherwise engaged with greeting foreign heads of state or drinking cups of tea in newly opened sport or community centres. – Yours, etc,
MICHAEL GANNON,
Kilkenny.
Sir, – Was President Higgins intending that this communication be kept secret from the Irish public he’s elected to represent?
Was the Government aware, in advance, of the contents of this letter and did it approve it?
Who else has the President written to, in his official capacity, in his current term?
Surely all official communications from the Áras should be cleared by the Government and available to the Irish public? – Yours, etc,
PETER MOLLOY,
Glenageary,
Co Dublin.