Has President Higgins overstepped the mark?

It could be worse, he could have some power.

RTÉ news says the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste strongly defend the President's letter to Iran.

But they did no such thing. They just dodged the question, each in their own way. Because they don't want to alienate the President's supporters who would never give a No. 1 to a Blueshirt or an FF'er but their third or fourth preferences may decide the next Dáil.

The Taoiseach doubled-down on the President's own diversionary tactic. He attacked the Israelis for defending themselves against the President's lies!(Simon doesn't understand the Jews - they have dealt with blood libels for millenia and they are prepared for what comes next).

The Tánaiste avoided spreading lies about the Israeli Embassy but went with the other Presidential lie - that this is just a "standard letter" and "normal diplomacy". Congratulating a Head of State on his election is normal but there is nothing normal or standard about the text of this letter to a prime sponsor of international terrorism. No other European country would send issue such a letter to the Iranians. And most importantly, the Tánaiste did not defend the substance of the letter or even claim to have any foreknowledge of this letter.

So now we all know that the Aras runs a secret, shadow foreign policy, flirting with the most dangerous regimes in the world. And the Government acquiesces in this although it is a clear breach of Article 29 of our Constitution.

https://www.rte.ie/news/middle-east/2024/0923/1471411-higgins-israel/

Yes M Martin has. The Foreign Minister. It's basic diplomacy, keeping communication lines open. It's normal. Basics. Room 101. People really need to wake up and get a grip. Israel have you all talking about the non problems.

Why are we engaging with the Iranians though? Did we send a congratulations letter to victor orban when he got re-elected for example?

Also why are you mentioning the Israelis?
Who is “you all”

Nonsense! And the Tánaiste knows it.

This was not a standard letter. The text went far beyond what is normal, especially when writing to a State sponsor of terror.

Horrible to think Iran Hamas were planning the mass torture, rape and murder of 6 October when this weird letter of encouragement arrived from a European Head of Stare.

Curious as to how you know what is normal in communications between heads of state.?

according to The Arus - at least while President Higgins is. Ensconced there- it is to do with protocol. Ie the president of Ireland writes to all newly/ re-elected presidents to congratulate them on their election success. Anyone out there care to find out what he wrote to Putin on his recent re elaction through FOI . And if he did not write to Putinthen he should be asked

He wrote a congratulatory letter to the Iranian president, was it meant to be a secret letter? A regime that murders it's own people. A kip. They then publicise his letter on twitter.

And then he blames Israel for leaking the letter. Conspiracy nonsense or a man going a bit doddery?

This is an embarrassing episode.

In the current climate, what I find embarrassing is people getting outraged on Israel's behalf.

They are long overdue being called out for their actions, or how they act more specifically.

this whole thing is a non-issue.
the president is likely right, israel did leak the letter to sturr crap because that is what israel does.
israel supporters are in no position to claim anyone is lieing when their favourite evil regime has been lieing about everything since the foundation of israel.
liar liar israel and iran are the same cheek of the same backside.

The whole thing is an international embarrassment. Writing a congratulatory letter to the head of a pariah state that sponsors internationally recognized terror groups and that brutally represses its own people.

And then couldn't keep his clown mouth shut when questioned about it, instead spoofing Israel conspiracies.

Someone needs to hook him off the stage.

The letter - I don't care about it. One head of state congratulating another on their election… In the same way that he spoke about how great Castro was, he has the right to his opinion. Even if I disagree with his opinion.

But the way he handled the whole issue afterwards has been terrible. He's behaved like a petulant toddler. It's hard to take him seriously.

 It's hard to take him seriously.

TBH I haven't been able to take him seriously since I furst saw this sketch many moons ago

"He's gas isn't he yeah!"

Nice use of inflaming language there.

Curious choice to introduce it.

He grew up poor in Limerick. When did the posh accent kick in?

But the president wrongly blaming another country in public for something they didn’t even do - that doesn’t seem far more inflammatory to you than a sentence on a discussion forum??

Looks like the poster is just putting words on what Pdt Higgins actually did - but you’re annoyed at the poster? 🙄

But off the top of his head deciding to blame Israel for leaking it?

It's not off the top of the head. They have absolute form for this. And more. And way too often and too obviously media/news/political commentators and officials give them an absolute pass and then run to their defense in targeting anyone who even remotely challenges them.

You really cant bring yourself to criticise Iran.

The **** are you talking about? Like seriously? Is that your response?

It's like watching a Fox News panel being asked about Trump.

Some people just see how Iran treat gays, women, how they view Jews and that's it. All their other political beliefs out the window.