President of Ireland Michael D Higgins (Niall Carson/PA)
President Michael D Higgins has accused the Israeli Embassy in Ireland of leaking a letter he wrote congratulating the recently elected Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
Mr Higgins’ letter was published by the London-based Jewish Chronicle and drew criticism from Fine Gael TDs.
Speaking to reporters at the United Nations General Assembly, the President first urged people to question why the letter was circulated and by whom.
Pressed on the matter, Mr Higgins said he believes the letter was leaked by the Israeli embassy but said he had “no idea” how they accessed the private correspondence he wrote to his Iranian counterpart.
“My letter was standard a one I have written to many heads of state, and I stressed in it the importance of peace in the region, and the importance as well of diplomacy returning in relation to the resolution of disputes and so forth,” he said.
“One of your journalist colleagues got it from Israeli embassy and rang somebody and asked was I concerned and I wasn’t concerned,” he added.
Mr Higgins letter was criticised by Fine Gael TDs when it emerged during the summer.
The Israeli embassy was contacted for comment.
Mr Higgins was separately asked how he would characterise the Government’s handling of the housing crisis, but he said he wouldn’t comment on any particular Government.
However, when it was put to him that it was an abject failure to have thousands of homeless families, he said: “There’s no doubt whatsoever that as one looks at it… I have to answer the question properly now, it has failed in many dimensions. The planning is a disaster. There aren’t enough planning officers working for the local authorities.”
He spoke about “the suggestion that the delay in providing houses is because of people going to court to exercise their rights.”
“I think the total number was two per cent. In most cases where the courts took the decision, it was in relation to planning flaws. So there’s side that of it.”
Mr Higgins also said it is “inconceivable” that the State would not directly build new homes and said the current policy was relying on “seducing” the private market.
