It's nearly 11 years since Michael D Higgins was voted in as President of Eire for the primary time – and he has not been shy about letting his emotions be identified throughout his tenure.
However, this time it's Mr Higgins’ spouse Sabina who's within the highlight over a letter to the Irish Instances in relation to the conflict in Ukraine. It was revealed, and subsequently deleted from, the official presidential web site.
Right here, in chronological order, we check out among the President’s run-ins.
Abortion debate, 2012
The President anticipates the abortion debate by saying that an investigation into the loss of life of Savita Halappanavar “ought to be aimed to make sure the protection of the well being of ladies”.
Coalition TDs are privately vital of Mr Higgins, saying he had overstepped the mark after calling for “some type of investigation” which might meet the wants of the general public.
Nice Gael TD James Bannon says it's uncommon for the President to touch upon points which can be usually a matter for the Authorities and the Oireachtas.
Monetary disaster, 2013
The President criticises the “hegemonic” financial mannequin inflicting insurance policies of austerity to be pursued throughout Europe.
In an interview with the MonetaryInstances, he advocates eurozone bonds as a way of addressing the monetary disaster. He goes on to criticise European leaders over the socialisation of financial institution debt.
Authorities figures are uneasy right here, as a result of they're tied right into a bailout deal and are arguably pursuing austerity insurance policies themselves.
Critics name his interventions “impolitic”, however he doubles down – telling Le Monde there's an absence of ethical braveness in Europe. Requested if his comment was geared toward French president Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the President responds: “I might not deny that evaluation.”
Christmas message, 2014
For the third 12 months in a row, the President fails to say Christ or Christianity in his Christmas message, which ends up in livid ideas that Eire is changing into a chilly place for Catholics.
Monsignor Eoin Thynne, head chaplain of the Defence Forces, criticises the non secular omissions of the Supreme Commander. Joe Duffy’s Liveline explodes and the row rumbles into 2015.
The Chief of Employees, Lt Gen Conor O’Boyle, conveys his regrets to the President for any embarrassment prompted. Mr Higgins is not going to reply questions as as to if he's an atheist, however says he's “non secular”.
A minister privately says he needs the President would “play the sport” and cease stirring up pointless hassle.
Dying of Castro, 2016
President Higgins learns with “nice unhappiness” of the loss of life of Fidel Castro of Cuba, who he says could be “remembered as a large amongst international leaders, whose view was not solely considered one of freedom for his individuals however for the entire oppressed and excluded peoples on the planet”.
Fianna Fáil spokesman Thomas Byrne, now Minister for European Affairs, is amongst these to criticise Mr Higgins. It's identified that the Cuban regime “murdered 1000's of individuals” and left the island nation remoted and mired in determined poverty. Mr Higgins visits Cuba the next 12 months.
Journey to Belfast, 2018
President Higgins travels to Belfast on Might 29 by Learjet to attend a world piano competitors. The journey turns into political when Mr Higgins says that “for safety causes I couldn’t be picked up on the border”, together with his automobile being pushed from Dublin to Belfast to select him up when the non-public jet landed.
The PSNI tells the BBC: “It will be inconceivable that the President of Eire wouldn't have been afforded safety if it had been requested.”
Asylum seeker lodging, 2019
Mr Higgins wades right into a row over the lodging of asylum seekers, claiming some have “abused” the reality about individuals coming to Eire. He rejects claims that immigrants substitute Irish employees or take social housing.
His remarks come after Unbiased TDs Michael Collins and Noel Grealish respectively recommend immigrants are “flooding” rural villages and “sponging off the system”.
Mr Higgins claims to not be talking about these politicians immediately, however says it is crucial that commentators communicate “straightforwardly with details”.
Northern Eire centenary church service, 2021
Mr Higgins declines an invite to attend a church service to mark Northern Eire’s centenary, saying it might be “inappropriate” and that he had not been appropriately addressed.
International Affairs Minister Simon Coveney and Chief Whip Jack Chambers go as an alternative.
Housing disaster, 2022
Ministers are angered in June when Mr Higgins describes housing coverage in Eire as our “nice, nice failure” and the lodging disaster as “a catastrophe”.
The unscripted remarks see him accused of getting “crossed the road” and being in “excessive ethical quicksand”.
Coalition figures are primarily involved that he has echoed the rhetoric of Sinn Féin to voters.
Sabina Higgins’ letter on President’s web site, 2022
Sabina Higgins writes a letter to a nationwide newspaper calling for negotiations between Ukraine and Russia to finish the battle.
She doesn't name for a full Russian withdrawal of invading forces.
The letter goes on the President’s official web site for a time earlier than being deleted.
The President later points an announcement that doesn’t tackle the tone or tenor struck by his spouse, nor the issues raised internationally and amongst Ukrainian refugees primarily based in Eire.