Councillor Richard McCreadyCongratulations to the new President of the Irish Republic
29 October 2011
I am really pleased that the Labour candidate in the Irish Presidential Election, Michael D Higgins, has been successful.
Michael D is a really interesting character who has already achieved much in his time in politics.
I think that his election is interesting for those of us in Scottish Labour.
Michael D has won in a political culture where constitutional issues have traditionally dominated the political discourse.
It is interesting that promoting social justice in this context has allowed Michael D to win this election.
I am sure that whilst this election is clearly in a very different context to Scotland there are still some interesting lessons which could be learned.
I am sure that Michael D Higgins will be a President who will do Ireland proud.
I would like to wish him well for his time in Áras an Áras an Uachtaráin.