PRESS CONFERENCE:PRESIDENT-ELECT Michael D Higgins has promised a "presidency of ideas" during his term in office over the next seven years.
Speaking at a press conference following the delivery of his acceptance speech in Dublin Castle on Saturday, he said the economy, political system, ethics and philosophy were connected. “You have to think your way into a new space . . . as someone who was from a farm, a three-roomed house, no one belonging to me went to third-level [education] or anywhere, I lived by ideas all my life. One thing you can take in the presidency is that ideas will be valued,” he said.
Mr Higgins said the financial crisis “didn’t come out of the blue” and that he would hold a seminar on the connection between economic theory, philosophy and politics. He would invite the “best minds” from abroad and at home to “join with the people” in delivering “really good, emancipatory scholarship”.
He said “professional thinkers” should be in the public space, “embracing our problems collectively and co-operatively”.
Mr Higgins said he understood how many people around the country were struggling in the aftermath of the economic crash. He said trust had to be restored in certain institutions. However, he said he also sensed a positive mood, with people wanting to move beyond recrimination.
He described the campaign as “quite ageist” at times, which he thought was wrong. There was much focus on his “famous Columbian knee”, which he injured during a trip abroad.
Mr Higgins admitted to feeling nervous when the last opinion polls appeared. They showed him trailing Independent Seán Gallagher. However, he said he reached a certain point in the polls at an early stage which gave him a "solid" base, and had noticed "things turning back to my way" before the Frontlineon RTÉ One.
He said he believed he won the TV and radio debates, and said he accepted all invitations to speak to young people. He confirmed he had no intention of seeking a second term.
His wife Sabina said her husband “energised people” and her main “function will be to support Michael D”.
“The big ‘Yes’ people said means that they have said ‘Yes’ to the kind of Irishness that Michael has spoken about. That is what they want to subscribe to, that is the best of us coming forward.”
“I’ve taken the oath myself to use all my talents for the service of the people of Ireland, and I love them . . . I will always be there beside Michael for them.” Referring to Áras an Uachtaráin, she said: “Everybody’s coming into that place.”
