McFlynn welcomes Mid Ulster Council letter of thanks to President Higgins

Magherafelt SDLP Councillor Christine McFlynn has welcomed the decision by Mid Ulster Council to write to Irish president Michael D Higgins thanking him for his commitment, passion, and duty of service to the people across this island.

Councillor McFlynn proposed the SDLP motion calling for the letter to be sent at the recent meeting of the Council.

The Magherafelt SDLP Councillor accepted an amendment to the motion, to extend an invite to the next Irish President to also visit Mid Ulster Council, and it received the support of the assembled councillors.

Councillor McFlynn said: “The SDLP welcomes the support of the Council for the letter of thanks to President Michael D Higgins.

“I have met President Higgins a few times, but most recently in Dublin during the national commemoration to honour all Irish men and women who died in military service in Ireland, or with the United Nations and other International organizations in the service of peace.

“I also remember his visit to Mid Ulster in 2018. We were delighted he accepted the invitation to visit Homeplace - our centre that honours Seamus Heaney - and he gave a great address to those present.

“As Michael D. Higgins steps down as Uachtarán na hÉireann, the President of Ireland, we believe it is appropriate that this Council honours the man who has served the people of this island as President for an outstanding 14 years.

“As the President of the Irish Nation, Michael D Higgins is the president of every Irish citizen on this island - and across the world.

“He is My President, and the President of every Irish citizen in Mid Ulster.

“And we look forward to the time when all Irish citizens in the North can vote for our President.

“Michael D. Higgins has, in his time, served as a TD, Senator, Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht, and Mayor of Galway, before being elected as President of Ireland in 2011.

“While in office, he has displayed the very best qualities of leadership - thoughtful, compassionate, and guided by a deep respect for people and community.

“He has been true to his own principles and has promoted culture and the arts as vital parts of the human experience.

“He has chosen to publicly address issues concerning justice, equality, anti-sectarianism, anti-racism, and reconciliation.

“In his first term, in 2014, he made the first State visit to the UK by an Irish President.

“He was re-elected in 2018 in a landslide victory with the largest personal mandate in the history of the Republic.

“He has been a President of the people, and for the people. He reminded us that the Presidency is not a distant institution.

“He spoke out on issues important to the Irish people when the Government of the day would have preferred that he had stayed silent.

“As President he re-asserted the obligation on the Irish Government - and every government - to ensure that the needs of the people are met on key issues such as Health, Housing and Education.

“As the President of Ireland he has emphasised the importance of social justice and global solidarity.

“He has spoken out on the War in Gaza when other European leaders have chosen to look the other way. He correctly identified, and condemned, the genocide that is underway in that land.

“He has also condemned the illegal, immoral and unjustifiable Russian invasion of Ukraine. And, as Irish President, he publicly commended people and communities across the island of Ireland for their generosity and solidarity with the people of Ukraine.

“In all of this, he has given voice to our shared hopes and reminded us that politics, at its heart, is about dignity and possibility.

“As he leaves office, we wish to express our deepest gratitude.

“Michael D. Higgins has served Ireland with honour.

“We welcome the decision of the Council to write to President Higgins to thank him for his commitment, passion, and duty of service to the people across this island.”