Comhghairdeas le Michal D Ó hUiginn, Uachtarán Nua-tofa na hÉireann. Congratulations to our President Elect (ninth President of Ireland) Michael D Higgins.

Michael D Higgins was elected President. On balance I am glad. Clearly Sinn Féin influenced the result with Martin McGuinness’ demolition job on Seán Gallagher, the opinion poll leader just three days before the Election.

As I made clear, I would have voted for Martin McGuinness happy in the knowledge that he could not possibly win but in the expectation that his standing would at least concentrate southern minds on the North.