DURING THE ELECTION campaign, Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris didn’t hold back when it came to taking a few subtle digs at Catherine Connolly. 

On the final day of the campaign, Harris told members of the Fine Gael party in Ballyshannon, Co Donegal that polling day was an important day in middle Ireland:

“We don’t want to send out a message about this country being far left. This country is not far left,” he said.

At the Dublin Chamber of Commerce dinner during the week, he also gave a speech to business leaders, in which he gave a nod to a report in the Irish Independent about objections Connolly had made to a number of projects in Galway over the years. 

Harris told the room that it behoves all those involved in public life to consider their own role in ensuring the public good and not themselves acting as barriers to development.

“Those who have engaged in serial objections and then go on to bemoan the lack of infrastructure – and I’ve been reading about this only this morning – are engaging in self-serving hypocrisy that is a major obstacle to the development and growth of all parts of this country,” he said. 

“This type of doublespeak cuts to the heart of credibility in public life,” he added, stating that the Dublin Chamber, its members, and the companies it represents, “know that real leadership means taking responsibility for the consequences of the decisions you make”. 

Similarly, Martin made some comments around the European Union during his speech at Fianna Fáil’s Cairde dinner earlier this month.

He said there are “anti-EU sentiments” expressed by people who nevertheless “always pretend that they are not anti-EU, but their demands expose the reality of their beliefs”.

Need to mend bridges? 

So now that Connolly is president-elect and is someone the government leaders have to do business with, will there be a need to mend bridges? 

The Journal asked the Taoiseach about this after the announcement that Connolly had been elected, mentioning in particular his remarks about Europe. He appeared to roll back his criticism somewhat. 

Martin indicated that it wasn’t just Connolly he was referring to, but also Sinn Féin and  “other political parties”.

“I think Catherine, in fairness, is a lawyer and understands the framework,” said Martin. 

Michael D Higgins “had strong positions, but always acted within the parameters of the office, so I don’t foresee difficulties on that front”, added Martin. 

“You know, we’re entitled to have different perspectives on issues like this. That’s the lifeblood of politics and of the parliamentary democracy, and we had different perspectives in the parliament and in the Dáil on some issues like that, but that’s normal and natural.” 

It is true that Michael D Higgins did have a few run-ins with government. In 2022, he raised eyebrows and got criticised by some for calling the housing crisis “a disaster” and “not a crisis any more, but a great, great failure”.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin with former President Michael D Higgins. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

It caused outrage in government circles, but he was applauded by the public for telling it like it is.

There have been a few other speed bumps along the way, but government leaders quickly learned to either tell reporters that they hadn’t heard or read the remarks of the president when questioned about something problematic Higgins might have said. 

Other than pleading ignorance, the Taoiseach and Tánaiste frequently wheel out the same line that the president is allowed hold his own personal views, with sources stating that they know all too well it is not worth causing a row with the presidency. 

‘Maturity’ to handle any issues 

If any issues or differences arise, Martin said: “I feel we have the maturity both government and in the president-elect to work through these issues.”

One issue that some predict might put the government and the office of the president on a collision course, is neutrality and the removal of the triple lock legislation that is coming down the line. 

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Connolly has been a strong advocate in retaining the triple lock, while government has committed to removing it. 

President-elect Catherine Connolly and Taoiseach Micheál Martin. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

During her speech at Dublin Castle on Saturday, Connolly said she will be a president “who listens, and who reflects, and who speaks when it’s necessary – a voice for peace, a voice that builds on our policy of neutrality, a voice that articulates the existential threat posed by climate change”

Asked about the specific mention of neutrality, and whether this was something the Taoiseach picked up on, Martin said the government has no plans to change Ireland’s position of military neutrality.

“We’re not joining NATO. We’re not members of NATO, and we’ve no plans to join NATO. And certainly, you know, we have a clear position on the triple lock, given the paralysis on the Security Council that countries like Russia shouldn’t be vetoing Ireland’s potential participation in potential new peacekeeping missions.

“And it would be peacekeeping we’re talking about here. We’re not a military nation, we do need to improve and enhance our defence and security… So I don’t foresee any difficulties. We have an executive function to perform as a government, and the Oireachtas, and legislation will come true in the normal manner,” he said. 

Harris was also asked if the pointed words he uttered against Connolly might need to be smoothed over now that she is president and whether he can work with her.

“Yes, of course, we can work with president-elect Connolly,” he said, stating that the Constitution sets out the government is “obligated” to work with the office of the president.

“It’s very clear in relation to the role of the president, very clear in relation to the role of the executive government, very clear in relation to the role of the Dáil and it beholds all of us to work together to carry out our various functions,” he told reporters. 

When bluntly asked if he trusts Connolly as president, he replied: “Yes.”

“I mean, obviously during an election campaign, you absolutely extoll the virtues of your candidate… but I absolutely trust Catherine Connolly and indeed, I look forward to working with her because she was democratically elected by the people of Ireland.”