The President’s comments

Sir, – In Emmet Malone’s reporting of President Higgins at the Irish Congress of Trade Union’s biennial conference (“President surprised by reaction to comments on security forum”, News, July 5th), it appears that the President continues to justify his recent intervention on the Forum on International Security Policy.

He conveniently omits any reference to his assertion that he could have named several people who could have chaired this forum rather than Prof Richardson.

In making such an observation, it appears that he sees his role as having an executive function, or, at least having the right to advise the executive arm of Government on matters.

He also appears to attribute the broadening of discussion on security policy to his intervention.