In a statement, a spokesman for the President said: “The record shows that President Higgins has been unequivocal in his condemnation of the Russian invasion of Ukraine since his initial statement on March 1st. He has repeatedly condemned what he described as an illegal, immoral and unjustified Russian invasion of Ukraine. “He has called for the immediate withdrawal of Russia and an end to the violence. He has expressed his steadfast support for the victims of this terrible conflict and has met several times with Ukrainian refugees in Ireland and with the Ukrainian Ambassador. “President Higgins stressed the importance of using every available ‘diplomacy.’ “President Higgins has also publicly praised and continues to praise people and communities across Ireland for their generosity and solidarity with the people of Ukraine. It is heartening to see so many people in Ireland and around the world coming together in support of the Ukrainian people, offering shelter, food, assistance and other forms of assistance to those fleeing the war.” [ Sabina Higgins’ letter to The Irish Times ] [ Clare Daly ‘salutes’ Sabina Higgins’ letter on war in Ukraine ] The spokesman included some of Mr Higgins’ previous statements. However, the President’s office did not respond to specific questions about the letter itself, why it was posted on the official Aras an Uachtarain website, why it was removed and whether he agreed with its content. It comes as a Fine Gael TD and former government leader called on President Michael D Higgins and Taoiseach Micheál Martin to make a statement clarifying Ireland’s position on the war against Ukraine following a controversial letter written by Sabina Higgins. Wexford TD Paul Kehoe told The Irish Times on Monday that a statement was needed from the Government and the Speaker as well as Secretary of State Simon Coveney. In her letter, Ms Higgins said the war in Ukraine would continue until both countries agreed to a ceasefire and started negotiations. She criticized an Irish Times editorial published on July 20, saying she was “disappointed” and “disappointed” that it did not “encourage any ceasefire negotiations that could lead to a positive settlement”. The letter was published on the Áras an Uachtaráin website but was later removed. The Irish Times sought a comment from Áras throughout the weekend and again on Monday morning, but received no response. “I was very surprised that such comments came from Áras an Uachtaráin. This is not just a topic of conversation at the government level, it’s a topic of conversation in every household across the country and people look at the invasion, the invasion of Ukraine and what’s happened – when you’re dealing with the Russians you’re dealing with the devil,” said Mr. Kehoe. I was disappointed that the President appeared at a public event at the weekend and did not take the opportunity to speak to the media and explain the history of the comments, or apologize or provide some clarity on the comments that appeared on The Áras an Uachtaráin website,” he said. “This was not just a comment made in a newspaper letter, but appeared on the official website of Áras an Uachtaráin. This makes it almost official when it appears on the site, although it was removed. “I will also call on the Government to come out, the Taoiseach to come out and Secretary of State Simon Coveney to come out and restate Ireland’s position on where we stand on this issue and clarify the comments and restate Ireland’s position” . Mr Kehoe joins a chorus of Government MPs and senators who have called on Speaker Michael D Higgins to break his silence on the letter. The President did not address the issue at the official opening of the Fleadh Cheoil na Éireann in Westmeath on Sunday. Fianna Fáil TD Willie O’Dea said the President needed to deal with the issue “right now”. Fine Gael senator John McGahon warned the issue was “not going away”. Fianna Fáil senator Lorraine Clifford Lee also asked for clarification. “I think it was very inappropriate that her letter was published on the Áras website. They need to explain why this happened.” Fine Gael Senator Martin Conway also said: “I believe President Higgins has a duty to explain why the letter was published on President.ie and why it was subsequently removed from the website. He must also make a clear and unequivocal statement supporting the government’s position on Ukraine.”
