Irish Examiner view: President Michael D Higgins is not shying away from controversy

Taoiseach and Tánaiste were quick to defend the President after he was criticised by the Israeli embassy. But his comments on homelessness and housing will win less support from the Government

President Michael D Higgins speaking at the United Nations General Assembly during the Summit of the Future on Sunday. Picture: Frank Franklin II/AP

The controversy over President Michael D Higgins’ letter to Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian continued this week in New York, where the president addressed the United Nations Summit of the Future last Sunday.

The letter addressed to Mr Pezeshkian was sharply criticised by the Israeli embassy in Ireland when it was published in the Jewish Chronicle. Mr Higgins said he believed his letter had been circulated by the Israeli embassy, saying: “You should ask where the criticism came from and how the letter was circulated and by whom and for what purpose.”