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Representing the Nation

from A Year in Review 2020

by Áras an Uachtaráin

from A Year in Review 2020, page 20

Remembering our Past

On 27 June 2020, President Higgins appointed the members of the Government, in a ceremony at Dublin Castle

The Irish State is a republic and its Head of State is the President, who is elected directly by the people.

The Irish Constitution, Bunreacht na hÉireann, prescribes the role and powers of the President, which include:

• Appointment of the Taoiseach, members of the

Government, judges and other officials; • Summoning Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann and dissolving, or refusing to dissolve Dáil Éireann; • Signing legislation into law and/or referring Bills to the Supreme Court; • Representing the people of Ireland; • Acting as Supreme Commander of the Defence

Forces.

The President’s diplomatic role includes receiving foreign Heads of State and ambassadors, and undertaking visits abroad where the President represents Ireland at the highest level. The President’s influence has important diplomatic benefits, strengthening Ireland’s influence at multilateral organisations such as the United Nations, but also economically, helping to open doors for Irish companies, academics and artists.

In addition to performing his formal tasks, the President also plays an important role representing the entire Irish nation. As principal representative and leader of the country, the President not only personifies Ireland on the international stage but also symbolises Ireland’s identity, values, priorities and aspirations.

By speaking on behalf of the nation at times of national or international tragedy, or at times of celebration, the President can give voice to the feelings of the people of Ireland. Furthermore, by highlighting the work and achievements of people and organisations, the President can acknowledge important contributions to our society, and draw attention to specific themes or activities.

State Visit by President Pavlopoulos of Greece

In January, H.E. the President of the Hellenic Republic, Prokopios Pavlopoulos, undertook a State Visit to Ireland, at the invitation of President Michael D. Higgins.

The State Visit followed on from President Higgins’ State Visit to Greece, in February 2018 and President Higgins’ 2019 Aristotle Address in Athens, in which President Higgins spoke of the nature of democracy and how it can respond to the challenges of environmental degradation and growing inequality within societies.

The State Visit began with a ceremonial welcome at Áras an Uachtaráin, followed by a bilateral meeting between the two Heads of State. In their meeting, President Higgins and President Pavlopoulos spoke of the importance of close cooperation between Ireland and Greece on measures to address the most pressing global challenges, including climate change, inequality, poverty, violent conflict and migration. In the evening, President and Sabina Higgins hosted a State Dinner in honour of President Pavlopoulos, at which President Higgins spoke about the deep bonds between the two countries, and how the two nations can work together to deepen democracy across the European Union.

“We in our time have been given a unique opportunity, and indeed responsibility, to assert, deepen and, where necessary, reassert those founding values of democracy, cohesion, shared prospects, human rights and the rule of law in an increasingly interdependent world in which those values are challenged. Let us do it together.”

In June, after years of campaigning by the President, Government and Irish diplomats, Ireland was voted onto the United Nations Security Council.

In the years leading up to the vote, President Higgins had used his many meetings with global leaders and Heads of State to make the case for Ireland, stating that Ireland’s record of independence and its ambition to play a constructive role in contributing to peace, security and sustainable development underpinned Ireland’s candidacy.

President Higgins and President Pavlopoulos of Greece, meeting school children at Áras an Uachtaráin, January 2020

Elections 2020

On 14 January, President Higgins signed the Proclamation of Dissolution for the 32nd Dáil.

Under Article 13 of the Constitution, “Dáil Éireann shall be summoned and dissolved by the President on the advice of the Taoiseach,” but the President can, in some cases, refuse to grant the dissolution.

Following a protracted process of government formation, President Higgins signed the warrant appointing the members of the Government, in accordance with Article 13 of the Constitution, on 27 June. Due to the Covid-19 public health restrictions, the ceremony took place, at the request of President Higgins, in Dublin Castle, not Áras an Uachtaráin.

President Higgins signed the Proclamation of Dissolution for the 32nd Dáil

“Mar Uachtarán na hÉireann, as President of Ireland, may I say how deeply grateful we all should be that we had such a person as John Hume to create a light of hope in the most difficult of times.”