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Old July 31st, 2013 #1
john-connor
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Angry Remarks by President Michael D. Higgins at the opening of ‘The Many Faces of Africa’ event, Tralee International Resourc

http://www.president.ie/speeches/rem...-africa-event/ Remarks by President Michael D. Higgins at the opening of ‘The Many Faces of Africa’ event, Tralee International Resource Centre, Wednesday, 30th May 2012

A Dhaoine Uaisle,

It gives me great pleasure to be with you today to officially open ‘The Many Faces of Africa’ event which has been organised by Tralee International Resource Centre as part of the Africa Day festivities. I’m told that this is not the first time you have organised an event to mark Africa Day and I commend you for all your hard work in making this special day possible.

Africa Day celebrates African diversity and success and highlights the cultural and economic potential that exists on the African continent. It also serves to raise awareness and understanding of development issues in Africa. The particular focus this year I know is on the importance of economic and trade links between Africa and Ireland, the development of which will be mutually beneficial to African countries as they will to us.

Ireland’s official development aid programme, Irish Aid, is a central part of our country’s foreign policy, an expression of our values as a nation and our sense of solidarity with those who face extreme poverty, hunger and underdevelopment.
But, long before Irish Aid, we had a deep engagement with Africa over many years through non-government bodies, lay and religious, who worked to respond to humanitarian crises, reduce poverty and provide education and healthcare to people sorely in need of such assistance. This was motivated by high idealism which found expression in the African continent and in other places, even at a time when our own country was itself underdeveloped (if to a lesser extent) and witnessing emigration – many of our people seeking opportunities in more prosperous societies.

It has likewise been the African experience that underdevelopment resulted in the migration of people from their homelands in the hope of building a better life elsewhere. Political instability and conflicts too have forced many to flee their country and seek refuge wherever they can find it – some of those refugees coming to Ireland and making new homes here.

While mindful of some of the very difficult circumstances that caused our paths to cross, our purpose today is also about having fun and using the opportunity of Africa Day to witness aspects of African culture in the form of music, dance, art to name just a few. Is deis iontach é seo d’Afracaigh agus d’Éireannaigh agus do dhaoine eile chun teacht le chéile agus níos mó a fhoghlaim óna chéile maidir lenár dtraidisiúin agus cultúir dhifriúla agus chun páirt a ghlacadh sa phobal nua idirchultúrtha seo agus é a neartú.
[This is a splendid opportunity for Africans along with Irish and others to come together, to learn more about each other and our different traditions and cultures and to reinforce and participate in this new intercultural community.]

There are now more than 41,000 Africans resident in Ireland (source – 2011 Census) an increase of 18% in the past five years. This accords with what we have found with immigration generally: that Ireland has become a very diverse society over a relatively short period of time and, significantly, this process is continuing. This is borne out by the fact that in the space of just five years in Ireland we witnessed an increase from 10% to 12% in people who stated that their nationality was other than Irish.

Such changes are exciting. So much of everyday living in Ireland has changed for the better as we welcome new cultural influences – in food, in dress, in music, in dance, in art, in sport, in literature. We are have truly become a multicultural society and as we look to the future we hope that the society we continue to build is good for everyone, a cohesive society based on solidarity between all its members.

In my inauguration speech, I said that my Presidency would seek to achieve an inclusive citizenship which values each individual with their attributes and talents and facilitates them as far as possible in achieving their potential as human beings.

An inclusive society that encourages the full participation of everyone in Irish society in all its aspects – employment, education, political activities, community life, sporting bodies – and welcomes and celebrates the fact that people from different cultures will bring to the table their own distinct backgrounds and perspectives.

I believe that the Irish who have emigrated epitomized this in that they and their descendents so often retain a very strong Irish identity while at the same time participating fully and enthusiastically in the life of their new country. Just a few weeks ago for example on my trip to New York and Boston, I met with people of Irish extraction, many 3rd and 4th generation but characteristically with a great pride in their Irish culture and identity.

In looking to how Ireland has responded to the major social and demographic change that recent immigration represents, I am encouraged by the scale of the responses within local communities in mobilizing to welcome and support newcomers. Is cúis mhór áthais dom mar Uachtarán na mílte saoránaigh bríomhara a thugann lámh cúnta do dhaoine nua inár measc a fheiceáil anseo. Cuireann na daoine seo tograí i bhfeidhm a chuirfidh go mór le pobail dhifriúla a bheidh níos láidre agus níos cuimsithí sa todhchaí.
 
Old April 25th, 2023 #4
jagd messer
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Default Irish President Papa Smurf Higgins

'A very much loved dog': President Higgins pays tribute following death of his dog Bród



PRESIDENT MICHAEL D Higgins has paid tribute following the death of his dog Bród.

The President of Ireland’s official Twitter account tweeted this morning that Higgins and his wife Sabina were “sad to confirm that Bród, one of their two Bernese Mountain Dogs, has passed away at just past the age of 11″. “Bród was 11 years and two months at Áras an Uachtaráin, having come to the Áras as a 8 week old puppy,” the statement reads.

“Bród was a very much loved dog by all that met him and he enjoyed meeting with the thousands of members of the public who came to Áras an Uachtaráin over the years and he was probably one of the most photographed dogs in Ireland. “He will be missed by the President, Sabina and all at the Áras, particularly Misneach, the President’s remaining two and a half year old dog, who has shared his space with Bród over recent months and was his constant companion, aware of Bród’s situation and very attentive to him.”

The 11-year-old had been part of a much-loved double act with two-year-old Misneach, winning the hearts of the nation as they welcomed dignitaries and members of the public to Áras an Uachtaráin. Prior to Misneach’s arrival in March 2021, Bród had been kept company by Síoda, another Bernese Mountain Dog who died following a short illness in September 2020.

The president’s dogs have become celebrities in their own right during his tenure, with unofficial social media accounts set up in their names attracting thousands of followers. They were the focus of global attention as recently as last week, when videos of them “snubbing” US President Joe Biden during his visit to the Áras went viral and were reported on around the world.

President Higgins is known to be a dog lover and previously had another Bernese mountain dog called Shadow during his early years in the Phoenix Park. Speaking about his dogs previously, he said they “are not merely ice-breakers, they’re also a great source of wisdom, and they must be protected from the stresses of the Anthropocene.”

The Bernese mountain dog is a giant breed that was originally bred in Switzerland as farm dogs or draft dogs, and were used to pull carts.


Rich old man’s dog dies . This is news ? Get a grip.



'A very much loved dog': President Higgins pays tribute following death of his dog Bród 25 IV 2023.

How can one not be embarrassed when an ardent socialist, idiot like Higgins is installed as Monarch, President or Head of State?
Previous President McAleese continues to lecture the Vatican on recognizing homosexuality.
Before that UN Globalist Robinson . . .

 
Old June 18th, 2023 #5
jagd messer
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Default Irish Neutrality

Tánaiste Martin, vice P M defends forum as President claims Ireland is 'playing with fire' in neutrality 'drift'


President of the Rep of Ireland MICHAEL D HIGGINS.

In an interview with a Sunday newspaper Higgins spoke about his views on the impending Consultative Irish Forum on international security policy.

TÁNAISTE MICHEÁL MARTIN has responded to claims by President Michael D Higgins that “Ireland is playing with fire” in a “drift” away from neutrality.

In an interview with the Sunday Business Post Higgins spoke about his views on the impending Consultative Forum on international security policy.

In a strongly worded rebuke of the Government’s move ahead of the public engagement discussion on foreign policy the president said: “the most dangerous moment in the articulation and formulation of foreign policy and its practice, since the origin of diplomacy, has been when you’re drifting and not knowing what you’re doing”. “I would describe our present position as one of drift.”

In relation to the Consultative Forum he criticised the various panels claiming they were stocked with “the admirals, the generals, the air force, the rest of it” and also of former neutral countries that have now joined NATO.

Finland has joined but Sweden’s membership has stalled as Turkey is blocking in a dispute over Kurdistan.

Higgins asked why there was no representation from still-neutral countries such as Austria and Malta.

The president also criticised the European Union for, what he termed, was a more military aligned posture. “Any time that Ireland puts itself behind the shadows of previous empires within the European Union it loses an opportunity of expanding and enhancing and using its influence for the world,” he said.

Higgins also said he was distressed about the reduction in the influence of the United Nations on world events.

Government response

In a statement this afternoon, Tánaiste and Minister for Defence and Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin hit back at the president without mentioning his name. He said the consultative forum was “not a binary” discussion on Ireland’s military neutrality. “I am proud to be part of, and to have lead, a Government that has been particularly ambitious in exerting Ireland’s influence abroad,” he said. Martin spoke about Irish successes on the international stage including membership of the UN Security Council, it’s multilateral approach as well as a host of other achievements such as the Good Friday Agreement.

“Ireland has had an impact and made a difference. “Since Russia’s brutal and illegal invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, which blatantly violated the UN Charter and international law and fundamentally altered the European security environment, every country in Europe has examined and re-examined its foreign, security and defence policies. “Ireland is no different. To shy away from doing so – or to do so behind closed doors – would have been a fundamental mistake and an abrogation of responsibility,”
he added.

Martin said it was a [I]“fundamental” duty of Government to address the “challenging global situation as it is today”. “Political leadership means taking on the responsibility of putting in place policies and practises to keep this country, and its people, safe and secure. In my view, it also means having an open, inclusive, evidence-based and public debate on these issues. “The Consultative Forum on International Security Policy is the first time that any Irish Government has established such a debate.

“It will discuss a range of issues relating to the global and European security environment and how Ireland’s foreign, security and defence policy is responding to this new environment,” he added. In his statement, Martin referenced that 900 people had signed up for the events in Cork, Galway and Dublin. He called on interested people to send a submission with their views. He said that the 80 panelists were from a wide range of backgrounds and with a variety of expertise and experience. These include peacekeeping and peacebuilding experts, arms control and disarmament and conflict resolution on an international basis.

He said the Forum would also discuss cyber security, disinformation, maritime security and critical infrastructure. “The aim of this Forum from the start has been to prompt a national discussion on Ireland’s foreign, security and defence policy. We want to hear from as many people as possible, with a diverse range of experiences, expertise and views. This is a conversation for everyone,” he added.




Tánaiste defends forum as President claims Ireland is 'playing with fire' in neutrality 'drift'
18 VI 2023.


Irish President Higgins, a committed Marxist, says something wise and sensible for a change. Like nationality and religion IRISH NEUTRALITY, something to be proud of and cherished, IS FOR SALE.


You don't buy the country just those at the top. You begin with a 'loaded' Citizens Assembly and bribe the necessary government and MSM officials.


Martin's advisers have written this speech for him telling the media 'brain washed' people what they should like to hear.
 
Old June 19th, 2023 #6
jagd messer
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Default Irish Neutrality

LBGT Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar was speaking at the News Xchange conference in Dublin which is discussing the future of news media. In response to a question about Irish military neutrality, he said the forum which has been established to have an in-depth conversation about the policy. He said the world has changed and it is an evolving situation, but maintaining neutrality is the policy of the Government.

Richard Boyd Barrett, People Before Profit TD, said the forum is a heavily biased one that is dominated by people with pro NATO or pro EU militarisation views. He said the chair of the forum has legitimate views but that her views, supporting US foreign policy, are on record. He described the forum as a "stitch up" and said the debate should be a balanced one.

"The forum is absolutely dominated by people who've worked in the military, have associations with NATO or have a record of arguing for Ireland to move away from neutrality or towards NATO or into the project of EU militarisation."Mr Boyd Barrett said the Government has been moving closer to NATO military alliance by stealth.

He said the forum does not have balanced representation. "I am the President of the Anti War Movement," he said, and "we were not informed about the forum by the Government".He acknowledged that the Anti War Movement still has time to make a submission and said "we probably will".

However, Mr Boyd Barrett added, the "whole thing has been stacked in advance".

He said the public forums are all booked out. "Why aren't the people who have known record of campaigning against militarism, campaigning for neutrality, why are they not equally represented on the panels?"



This Irish government has taken every opportunity to undermine Ireland’s neutrality. They cannot be trusted.
The forum is constructed to deliver the government’s desired outcome.


All the “Citizen’s Assemblies” have been engineered to produce the establishment friendly outcome.
A referendum is what’s needed.

Did you hear Martin during the week arguing his right to freedom of expression whilst simultaneously orchestrating totalitarian hate speech legislation which will allow establishment figures like himself to silence any political opposition.
He hates the democratic process, viewing it as nothing more than an interference in his clandestine agendas.

Call this what it is. The current Government are inflicting maximum damage on Irish Citizens before they knowingly get ran from power. These actions are an insult to the word treason, and should be treated with maximum contempt. Martin is juggling swords here.

No polls or referendum about important stuff.

Ireland has no enemies so as a neutral country we have no need to be strong militarily.
Once we join NATO then all the enemies of NATO become our enemies.




RTE aertel:
President apologises for 'throwaway remark' about chair of consultative forum 19 VI 2023.


POLITICS - its not we rule but we fool you.
 
Old June 19th, 2023 #7
jagd messer
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Join Date: Nov 2014
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Default Irish Nuetrality

Comments on


Could it be that the greatest danger of changing Ireland’s neutrality policy might come from “friends” not enemies (if we actually have such enemies!).


We live in a part of Spain where a “friend” almost exterminated the entire population and continues to poison the locals of a nearby town (many of whom are holiday home owners from UK & Ireland) with cancer causing radioactivity.

In January 1966, a tanker plane and a B-52 bomber collided over our village – 15 km from Palomares (Almería) – when they were refuelling in the air. The B-52 dropped four Hydrogen bombs. One fell in the sea. One hit the ground but did not break up. Two broke apart spreading highly radioactive nuclear fuel over 266 hectares of Palomares.

Nuclear physicists say that had the bombs produced a nuclear explosion, rather than “only” spreading radioactive material, every one within a radius of about 20 km would have been killed instantly and most people in the whole of Spain and the Balearic Islands of Majorca and Ibiza would have died within a few days from radiation.

It later emerged that that Franco did a deal with the USA to get substantial compensation in return for 40 hectares to be left contaminated and used as a “laboratory” to study the effects of radiation on animals, plants and humans – and giving the USA two military bases in Spain.

Years later Obama promised a final clean up but it never happened.
A few weeks ago the Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez met Joe Biden and asked him to do what was never done – clear up this dreadful mess. But will he do what none of his predecessors would do?

Two weeks ago the “friends” returned. According to the local press, the NATO military exercise comprised 5,000 troops, 19 surface ships, two submarines, 16 aircraft, five unmanned vehicles, 80 Marine Infantry vehicles and six landing craft with groups from NATO and the European Union including personnel from Canada, France, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Portugal, Turkey and the United States. A major features was an amphibious landings on the local beach at Palomares – where one of the hydrogen bombs fell in the sea!………"But not to worry!! «There will be no problems for bathers or recreational boats because everything will be perfectly signposted.” said a NATO officer “On the high seas, in front of Palomares, totally ecological mining exercises will also be carried out without environmental damage.”
Imagine this on a Galway beach!


2% of the GDP – that is the membership fee of NATO


Not 2% of the national budget but of the GDP.
Please discuss this with the hungry students in Cork.
“Hungry students still relying on UCC food bank to feed themselves”
“Cork Principal: Children coming into class hungry every day”


Using the term “decades old” is the same spin that was used to bring in abortion. Now we are killing each child with a disability. The reason values are held for many decades is precisely because they are inherently decent and moral and therefore can withstand the test of time. It’s a cynical twist to use it.




journal.ie:
President Higgins issues apology over remarks about security forum chair following criticism
 
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