Remarks by Taoiseach Micheál Martin at Presidential Inauguration, Dublin Castle

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A Uachtaráin;

A chairde agus a dhaoine uaisle;

Ar an lá sollúnta comórtha agus ceiliúrtha seo, is mór an onóir dom comhghairdeachas a dheanamh leis an Uachtarán Catherine Connolly thar ceann Rialtas agus mhuintir na hÉireann – as dul i mbun a hoifige mar Uachtarán na hÉireann.

Is lá suntasach agus lúcháireach é an lá inniu freisin do fhear céile an Uachtaráin Connolly, Brian, dá bpáistí Bryan agus Stephen, dá gclann sínte, a ghaolta agus dá gcairde. Bainigí taitneamh as an lá seo – tá sé tuillte agaibh!

Nuair a thugaimid a seirbhís phoiblí san am atá thart san áireamh, níl aon amhras orm, go ndéanfaidh an tUachtarán Connolly fónamh maith ar ár dtír. Mar Thaoiseach, tá mé ag tnúth le bheith ag obair leis an Uachtarán Connolly san am atá amach romhainn, mar a leanann Éire ar aghaidh lena ról suntasach ar an ardán domhanda, agus sinne ag tnúth le hUachtaránacht an Aontais Eorpaigh a óstáil sa dara leath den bhliain seo chugainn.

Ní mór dom an deis seo a thapú chun aitheantas a thabhairt d’Uachtarán Mícheál D. Ó hUigínn as gníomhartha iontacha agus tionchar dearfach a uachtaránachta, ról a thug gradam dár dtír le linn a thréimhse i réim.

Ba mhaith liom mo mhór-bhuíochas a ghabháil le Sabina freisin as an méid a rinne sí i seirbhís ár dtíre le ceithre bliana déag anuas. Táimid faoi chomaoin mhór ag an mbeirt agaibh.

On this solemn & joyful day of celebration, it is a great honour for me to congratulate President Catherine Connolly - on behalf of the Government and the people of Ireland - on entering upon her office as President of Ireland.

Today is also a momentous and happy day for President Connolly’s husband Brian, their children Bryan and Stephen their extended family and all their friends. Enjoy this day – you deserve it!

In the context of a record of outstanding public service, I have no doubt that President Connolly will serve our country well. As Taoiseach, I look forward to working with President Connolly in the time ahead as Ireland continues to play a significant role on the global stage, and as we look forward to hosting the EU Presidency in the second half of 2026.

Today you begin your term as only the 10th President in our history. Yet you also represent the longest unbroken chain of democratically-elected heads of state in any European country.

Over the last nine decades our country has overcome many extraordinary challenges. Where other countries fell into the hands of extremism, the Irish people remained resilient in their commitment to our democracy.

A vital part of this has been the unique and unifying role of the office of Uachtaráin na hÉireann.

It is an office which has been held by people of many different backgrounds and beliefs – but each has shared a commitment to promoting respect for all.

A Uachtaráin, your words about seeking to bring calm at times of division and anger reflects that generous and inclusive spirit.

I take this opportunity to recognise the outstanding contribution of Michael D. Higgins who, as President, has brought distinction on our country. I also want to sincerely thank Sabina for all that she has done in the service of our country over the past fourteen years. We owe you both a tremendous debt of gratitude.

Anois cuirim fáilte roimh an Uachtarán Connolly a haitheasc insealbhaithe a thabhairt.