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Michael D Higgins called on the Irish diaspora in Australia to engage in the effort to secure the tournament

Higgins canvasses for World Cup bid on Australia visit

President Michael D Higgins has been canvassing support for Ireland's 2023 Rugby World Cup bid on his state visit to Australia, saying the event would have an enormously positive impact for the country.

Rugby World Cup • 18 Oct 17

President Michael D Higgins was speaking at the Melbourne Cricket Ground

President says growth due to exports, not austerity

President Michael D Higgins has said Ireland's economic growth is export related rather "than being the consequence of any austerity programme imposed on us by the Troika".

Ireland • 12 Oct 17

President Michael D Higgins said that today we have the capacity to anticipate the threat of famine

President likens refugees to those who fled Famine

President Michael D Higgins has likened modern refugees to the millions of Irish people who left Ireland during and after the Famine.

News • 09 Oct 17

Prince Charles was shown the art of hurling by Henry Shefflin and Brian Cody

Prince Charles tries his hand at hurling in Kilkenny

Britain's Prince Charles has been given an exhibition in hurling as part of his visit to Ireland.

News • 11 May 17

Former US Special Envoy for Northern Ireland George Mitchell (L) with Martin McGuinness on a visit to Belfast in 2015

Mitchell: McGuinness took people from conflict to peace

Former US special envoy for Northern Ireland George Mitchell has said Martin McGuinness was a friend and courageous leader, who took his people from conflict to peace.

Martin McGuinness • 21 Mar 17

President Higgins giving his keynote speech in Colombia's National University, Bogota

Ireland can help Colombian peace process - Higgins

President Michael D Higgins says Ireland wants to be a bridge between the EU and Colombia to help that country's peace process.

News • 13 Feb 17

President Michael D Higgins pictured in Lima with Peru's minister for foreign affairs

President hopes for improved links with Peru

President Michael D Higgins has said he hopes the memory of Roger Casement will inspire new relations between Peru and Ireland.

News • 09 Feb 17

President Michael D Higgins reviews an honor guard during a welcoming ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi

President calls for new global economic model

President Michael D Higgins has called for a radical rethink of the global economic model and criticised the impact of "unregulated financial markets" and the "unproductive use of capital".

News • 08 Nov 16

President Michael D Higgins was speaking at an event to mark National Care Leavers' Day

Higgins calls for child aftercare legislation

President Michael D Higgins has said it would be good planning on the part of the Government to allocate resources to roll out legislation ensuring every child leaving state care will be given an aftercare plan.

News • 21 Oct 16

President Michael D Higgins (right) speaking to Ryan Tubridy on last night's Late Late Show

Higgins tight-lipped on second term intentions

President Michael D Higgins has declined to comment on whether he intends to seek a second term in Áras an Uachtaráin.

News • 24 Sep 16

Gold medal winners Katie-George Dunlevy, centre, with her pilot Eve McCrystal and Eoghan Clifford

President hails athletes after medal haul in Rio

President Michael D Higgins has led the tributes to Team Ireland after a hugely successful day at the Rio Paralympic Games.

News • 15 Sep 16

President Michael D Higgins delivered a speech at the ceremony in Béal na Bláth in Cork

Higgins pays tribute to Collins at commemoration

President Michael D Higgins delivered the oration at the annual Michael Collins commemoration in Cork today - the first time for a sitting head of state to do so.

News • 21 Aug 16

President Michael D Higgins lays a wreath at the Irish National War Memorial Gardens in Islandbridge, Dublin

Memorial events mark Battle of the Somme

The thousands of Irish soldiers who died at the Battle of the Somme have been commemorated at two memorial events in Dublin.

News • 09 Jul 16

President Higgins, Sir Tim Laurence, former German president Horst Kohler and British Prime Minister David Cameron lay wreaths

Higgins lays wreath at Somme anniversary event

President Michael D Higgins has laid a wreath on behalf of the Irish people at an event at the Thiepval Memorial in northern France marking 100 years since the start of the Battle of the Somme.

News • 01 Jul 16

President Michael D Higgins met Nicola Sturgeon on the first day of his official trip

President awarded honorary degree on Scottish trip

President Michael D Higgins has called for a more questioning debate on economic and social issues.

News • 28 Jun 16

President Michael D Higgins met Nicola Sturgeon in Glasgow

President Higgins meets Sturgeon on Scottish trip

President Michael D Higgins has met Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon as part of a four-day visit to Scotland.

News • 28 Jun 16

Michael D Higgins was elected President of Ireland in 2011

Senator hopes FF contests presidential election

President Michael D Higgins' silence on speculation surrounding a second term has been described as "remarkable" by a Fianna Fáil senator.

News • 16 Jun 16

Michael D Higgins is also meeting leaders of the Irish relief agencies Concern, Trócaire and Goal at the summit

Higgins highlights issue of violence against women

President Michael D Higgins has issued a strongly-worded call to world leaders to tackle violence against women and girls, saying that just 0.5% of humanitarian funding is used to counter gender-based violence.

News • 24 May 16

President Michael D Higgins will today embark on a one-day visit to London

President in London for 1916 commemorations

President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina are visiting London today as part of the Irish Embassy's 2016 commemoration programme.

News • 29 Apr 16

President Higgins officially opens the new Military Archives building in Cathal Brugha Barracks

Higgins opens newly-refurbished Military Archives

President Michael D Higgins has officially opened the newly refurbished Military Archives building at the Cathal Brugha barracks in Dublin.

News • 26 Apr 16

Delegates from universities in almost 50 countries are attending the three day event

President calls for intellectual focus at colleges

President Michael D Higgins has said universities must drive social and intellectual development, instead of focusing solely on economic requirements.

News • 07 Apr 16

President Michael D Higgins speaking at the Mansion House in Dublin today (Pic: Áras an Uachtaráin)

Retrieve idealism at heart of Rising, says Higgins

President Michael D Higgins has suggested Britain's "imperial triumphalism" be re-examined in the same way as Irish republicanism has been over recent years.

News • 28 Mar 16