Michael D Higgins says Irish have 'moral responsibility' to welcome those seeking protection 

The President said our strong commitment to humanitarian aid and relief is an example of "the Irishness we wish to be known by" which he said is one grounded in "decency, in ethical principles, taking our share of global responsibility".

Irish people have a "moral and ethical responsibility" to welcome those seeking protection in this country, President Michael D Higgins has said.

Speaking at an event in Co Donegal to mark National Famine Commemoration Day he said the parallels with An Gorta Mór and the mass displacement it caused 175 years ago must not be lost on us.