FOREWORD I have the pleasure in offering this report from Áras an Uachtaráin on what has been an extraordinary year in pandemic times. It would be hard to overstate the sense of turmoil and uncertainty, the trauma and tragedy that the Covid-19 pandemic has brought about, wreaking havoc as it has by turning our lives, our societies and our economies – indeed our very existence – upside down during 2020. I, like so many, have over the past year, together with the staff at Áras an Uachtaráin, had to adapt to new ways of working. When the first Covid restrictions came into effect in March 2020, cancellation of many planned events or their deferral were initially considered. However, I am happy to report that, thanks to a managed shift to new methods and procedures, a significant number of public engagements planned over the course of the year were able to proceed. Although I sorely missed the opportunities to welcome the thousands of people we normally invite to Áras an Uachtaráin, or my visits to groups and organisations that have enabled me to witness their activities in communities around the country, it is my hope that the speeches that were delivered to camera and the messages I have written for different groups, have had the effect I sought, of thanking and encouraging citizens everywhere. A notable milestone in 2020 was our contribution to Ireland’s Decade of Centenaries through the development of the ‘Machnamh 100’ seminar series which allows for considered reflections to be given space, as we continue with an ethical recall of the events that shaped the birth of this nation 100 years ago. These seminars will continue throughout 2021 and into 2022 as we mark Ireland’s War of Independence, partition and the Civil War. This report is offered as further building on my commitment to provide greater transparency and accessibility by presenting an overview of the key work of the President of Ireland, including major
engagements, events, visits and expenditure incurred over the past year. The review compliments the wealth of information already published on the website www.president.ie which, as well as providing details of the President’s public engagements, includes a multimedia section that houses a library of speeches in audio, video and written format, photographs, publications and news releases. This publication will, I hope, help provide a deeper insight into the work and functioning of the Office of the President. I hope it will be informative as to the many people and organisations – various Government Departments, State bodies such as the Office of Public works, An Garda Siochána and the Defence Forces – with which we interacted and that provide crucial support to me as President and to the workings of the Áras, Office of the President. Is mian liom mo bhuíochas a ghabháil le muintir na hÉireann agus leo siúd uilig a ghlac páirt sna himeachtaí a cuireadh san áireamh anseo, i mo dhara athbhreithniú bliantúil. Gabhaim buíochas leo as a dtacaíocht leanúnach, a bhfuinneamh seasta agus n-obair dhíograiseach i dtreo fíorú fhís na todhchaí, a bhunófar ar na mianta ar labhair mé fúthu agus a roinnimid le chéile, comhionannas, cuimsiú, cruthaitheacht agus inbhuanaitheacht ina measc. Le linn mo thréimhse Uachtaránachta bhíodh agus tá sé go fóill, mar aidhm agam a bheith mar Uachtarán do mhuintir uile na hÉireann, cibé áit a bhfuil siad agus cibé coinníollacha a maireann siad iontu. Beir beannacht.
Michael D. Higgins Uachtarán na hÉireann President of Ireland
4 2020 IN REVIEW
