FOREWORD May I thank the people of Ireland, Muintir na hÉireann, and all the people and organisations that played a part in the events contained in this review, for their continued support and for their sustained energy and hard work towards the realisation of a future of equality, inclusion, creativity, and sustainability.
In November 2018, I had the honour of being reelected as President of Ireland. Then, as now, I wish to thank the people of Ireland for the honour, responsibility and mandate they have given me – a mandate I have accepted with humility, determination and commitment. I seek to be a President for all of the Irish people, wherever they may be and in whatever circumstances. During the campaign I undertook, among other commitments, to become the first President of Ireland to publish an annual review that would detail the work and scope of the Office of the President of Ireland.
Michael D. Higgins Uachtarán na hÉireann President of Ireland
In December 2018, my Office published ‘The Presidency in Review, 2011-2018’, the first detailed overview of the work of the Office of the President of Ireland since the Presidency was established in 1938. The current report builds further on the commitment to greater transparency and accessibility by providing an overview of the engagements, visits and expenditure of the past year, as well as their constitutional and thematic context. The review complements the wealth of information already published on the website www.president.ie, that illustrates the work of the President of Ireland and provides a review of the thematic priorities indicated in my work. This publication will, I hope, give an insight into the work of the Office of the President and contribute to a greater understanding of the functioning of the President’s Establishment and the many people and organisations – including Government Departments and State bodies such as the Office of Public Works, An Garda Siochána and the Defence Forces – that provide vital support to me as President, and to the workings of Áras an Uachtaráin.
4 2019 IN REVIEW
