Irish Examiner View: Michael D Higgins served this State well

Monica Pumpkin, originally from Botswana, and a member of the Sanctuary Runners organisation presents President Michael D Higgins and Mrs Higgins with yellow roses, symbolising friendship and joy, as they leave Áras an Uachtaráin. Picture: Julien Behal Photography

Michael D Higgins’ 14-year term as Uachtarán na hÉireann has come to an end and, while his time in office has sometimes been controversial, there can be no doubt that it has coincided with a defining period in modern Irish history.

While he has sometimes been a thorn in the side of the government of the day by questioning legislative and policy matters, he has also been a statesman of considerable merit, representing the country on a variety of international stages which necessitated a high degree of diplomacy.

He has overseen papal and presidential visits, was the first incumbent of the office to pay a state visit to the UK, and also presided over the centenary of the foundation of the State.

He was never afraid to test the parameters of what a president can say or do while in office under the terms of constitutional remit, but anything he did say or do generally reflected the broad views of the people he represented, even if that at times upset political or diplomatic sensibilities.

While his presidency was not seen as being as radical as those of Mary Robinson or Mary McAleese, it was nevertheless unique in many ways and significant in the sense that the people of this country responded positively to the manner in which he changed their view of how pivotal a presidential role should be.

He has left a high-water mark both as a national and international figure.

His mentoring of the poor, the displaced, and the socially deprived came from deep personal experience, while his criticism of such issues as the Iraq war, the necessity for a two-state Palestinian solution, support for independence among Latin-American nations, and civil rights in the US, all marked him out as having a voice of reason.

While he will be a hard act to follow, incoming president Catherine Connolly will have the opportunity to leave her own stamp on the Áras over the next seven years.

If the past 14 years are anything to go by, it will be an interesting term. We wish her the best of luck.

Any and all help sorely needed to fix housing crisis

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen. Picture: AP

As the Government prepares to publish its much delayed and “radical” housing plan later this week — apparently promising to deliver 12,000 new social homes per annum — the EU revealed it is drawing up its own plans to deliver affordable housing across Europe.

While the Coalition has been roundly criticised for failing to meet building targets for all new homes, including social and affordable housing, the news that EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen is set to use “significant legislative levers” to boost housing delivery sounds promising.

Given that successive governments have failed to make a dent in the growing housing crisis here, any outside assistance would be both welcome and necessary.

Ms Von der Leyen last September promised an EU-wide affordable housing plan which would radically overhaul how Brussels tackles housing issues. It would, she said, be “a European effort anchored in local realities”. Given that, as Taoiseach Micheál Martin pointed out last week, the “gold-plating” of EU regulations at local level is hampering the development of major housing projects here, anything the European Commission president can come up with to accelerate the actual building of houses would be welcome.

It is good that Brussels has recognised that this is an issue not just here in Ireland, but in other member states — such as The Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Spain, Germany, Portugal, and Italy — and if reforms can be adopted that boost housing across the EU, then it will be a big achievement.

The EU plan will not be unveiled until close to Christmas, but it has already received some 13,000 submissions via its consultative process, one of which was from Chambers Ireland and highlighted the need to reduce regulatory barriers.

Here, as in so many other countries, the lack of new housing inhibits the ability to attract and retain talent, exacerbates labour shortages, and undermines economic efficiency.

Much of the Government’s housing plan is already known, although it is predicting it will be “much more radical than people expect”. We won’t hold our breath on that one, but what is obvious is that any outside help would be long overdue and much needed.