Politics

President apologises to security forum chair for ‘throwaway remark’

The comments have been subject to sharp political backlash and public scrutiny

President Michael D Higgins: “As a political scientist and sociologist the President is familiar with Professor Richardson's work. He has too, with others, an appreciation for the initiatives for which Professor Richardson was awarded her DBE”.

President Michael D. Higgins has apologised to Professor Louise Richardson for a "throwaway remark" made in an interview with the Business Post.

President Higgins described Prof Richardson - who will chair the government’s Consultative Forum on International Security Policy - as a person "with a very large DBE - Dame of the British Empire", adding that he could have come up with a few speakers himself.

The comments, along with others made by the President about the forum and Irish foreign policy, have been subject to sharp political backlash and public scrutiny.