President Michael D Higgins has dismissed any suggestion of conflict between himself and the Government over an interview he gave last week in which he called for “a radical rethink” of how European Union leaders are handling the economic crisis.
In the interview with the Financial Times , Mr Higgins said the EU faces a moral crisis as much as an economic crisis and European leaders need to make up their minds on the type of union they really want.
“There is a real problem in what was assumed to be a single hegemonic model. The unemployment profile in Greece is different from the unemployment profile in Ireland. You need a pluralism of approaches,” he said.
Mr Higgins’s comments were welcomed and supported by Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Eamon Gilmore but some commentators have criticised the President for straying beyond his powers.
Emeritus professor of law at UCC David Gwynn Morgan told RTÉ Mr Higgins may have overstepped the boundary in terms of making public comment on politics and economics.
Asked by The Irish Times if he had consulted with the Government before doing the interview, Mr Higgins said that was not how the presidency worked. "The way it works is this: I have a very good working relationship under Article 28 of the Constitution which says the president shall be kept informed of matters internationally and domestic.
“The Taoiseach visits me every six weeks and we have meetings that are never less than than two or 2½ hours. He tells me how things are going in Europe and the world and how things are going in relation to the legislative programme.
"And I, because I am around the country, I offer my views to him. This is a two-way process and I can say to you that it works because it is a very positive relationship that I have and that's how it works. I have seen, since I gave my interview to the Financial Times and since I gave my speech to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, all sorts of versions of what people think might be the relationship between Government and the presidency. I can tell you we are independent offices and that independence is respected. I respect the role of government and since my inauguration, the Government has been entirely respectful and helpful of my independent role."
