Opinion

Shane Coleman: Popular or not, President Higgins went too far in attacking Ursula von der Leyen

The President’s outburst was just the latest in a series of episodes when the veteran occupant of the Aras has gone too far

President Michael D Higgins: despite what many in politics have argued, it’s irrelevant whether or not Higgins was right in what he said about the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen – he exceeded his powers when he criticised her. Picture: Maxwells

What’s more important – Michael D Higgins’s right to sound off about whatever issue he wants, or Bunreacht na hÉireann, the legal basis on which our state is governed?

That is the only question we should be asking in relation to the President’s latest outburst – a trenchant critique of a “reckless” President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.

Despite what many in politics have argued, it’s irrelevant whether or not Higgins was ...