Michael D: I might plough on as Pres...
Higgins admits he hasn’t ruled out a second term
PRESIDENT Michael D Higgins has revealed he isn’t ruling anything out when it comes to serving a second term in the Aras. He officially opened the National Ploughing Championships at midday yesterday – and gave the clearest signal yet he wants to remain in the role. Mr Higgins said: “By the time of the next Ploughing you should have a very good idea. “I have ruled nothing out. My concentration as it is now is on doing this term very well, that’s why I don’t answer the question. “Then in the fullness of time it’s my decision, it doesn’t affect anyone else’s. Just being dead straight about it, I haven’t ruled anything out.” He added he’s going to Australia and New Zealand next month, has European Union trips in the spring and then hopes to visit Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Canada. Mr Higgins said: “Then we will run through the summer with a set of maybe eight garden parties, then after that I will make an announcement to what my intentions are.” He added he wouldn’t be revealing his plans on a second term until next year. In a chat on RTE Radio One from the Tullamore site, the President also spoke about Brexit and his upcoming visit to New Zealand – and Sunday’s All-ireland Final between Dublin and Mayo. He said: “I think that not only the team who take to the field, but when you look at the quality of the football available on the bench and really look at the difference in the game it made when [Dubs’ manager Jim] Gavin was able to bring on supplementary injections into the game. “I think what they have achieved in terms of performance and quality has to be admired by anybody who likes the game.”