Sir, – I refer to the recent intervention by President Michael D Higgins in the debate on the balance of priorities, with an election pending, between tax reduction and public services ("President questions election campaign emphasis on tax", Front Page, February 2nd).
The President is expected and mandated to operate above politics. His most recent comments at the publication of his report on his ethics initiative are in breach of his role.
I believe that our President understands the boundaries of his role more than most but promoting sentiments associated with his former political party should not be part of his commentary at any time. – Yours, etc,
JOHN HENNESSY,
Foxrock,
Dublin 18.
Sir, – I welcome the President’s remarks. Is it possible to have a decent society and continue to lower taxes?
I do not want to live in a economy but in a country in which we all get decent chance to live and prosper. – Yours, etc,
PAUL DORAN,
Dublin 22.