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Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie

Michael D Higgins to attend Armistice event (but not as President) before evening inauguration

His first term as President officially ended at midnight.

MICHAEL D HIGGINS will be formally inaugurated as President of Ireland for the second time at Dublin Castle this evening.

At midnight last night his first term officially ended and for around 18 hours Ireland will not officially have a President.

That’s nothing to worry about though, as those duties are taken over by the Presidential Commission during that time. There is no legislation currently waiting to be signed by the President and even if there was, there is always a three-day window for bills and he could sign it tonight after the inauguration.

Normally, the inauguration would take place at noon, but this time Higgins asked the government to move it to evening to facilitate events for the centenary of World War I Armistice taking place earlier in the day.

The government has asked President Higgins to represent the people of Ireland at the State event in Glasnevin Cemetery in Dublin to mark the centenary of the end of the war.

It was important for Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to write to Higgins with this request. He will not be there as President of Ireland, but at the request of the government as a representative of the people.

During the time between the end of his term and the inauguration this evening, he does not have an official title – we do not have the term ‘President-elect’ in the Irish Constitution.

This evening Higgins will leave the Áras at 6pm and will be accompanied by his usual escort to Dublin Castle, where members of the Houses of the Oireachtas will be waiting.

He will then take an oath and sign some paperwork and as the band kicks in to mark the moment, he will be deemed officially inaugurated as Pesident of Ireland for the second time.

Two flags will be raised – one in Dublin Castle and another at the Áras to indicate that there is a sitting president.

Higgins will then return to the Áras for an evening reception.

We’ll have more on the inauguration later today.

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    Mute Dj
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    Sep 13th 2017, 9:54 PM

    Nothing says I love you more than a McFuneral.

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    Mute Andi Black
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    Sep 13th 2017, 10:23 PM

    When someone dies, there are always people around, at the wake, funeral and burial, the believers, the non believers, the atheists, the humanists. ……….How many of you will visit the bereaved family months after their bereavement?
    This is the time they need your help and support.

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    Mute John Kennedy
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    Sep 13th 2017, 11:31 PM

    @Andi Black: bull shit
    The reason we are born is to die
    It’s about time people excepted death and stop being so mournful about it .

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    Sep 14th 2017, 8:22 AM

    @John Kennedy: dont be insensitive John, the death of a loved one is an emotional shock for those left behind, its natural to mourn, those who dont usually dont do well and they eventually break down, we’re all aware that its an inevitable journey feared by many welcomed by few sso the taut that ur leaving ur loved ones behind is hard, speaking for myself, well, ill hang about as long as I can.

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    Sep 13th 2017, 11:03 PM

    I doubt the dead really care how they’re dispatched to be honest. Once they’re finished harvesting my organs they can turn what’s left over into shepard’s pie if they like…

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    Sep 14th 2017, 12:14 AM

    @Ryan: I’m not saying you wouldn’t be delicious and chock full of goodness Ryan, but wouldn’t you be Cottage Pie?

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    Sep 13th 2017, 11:57 PM

    “You have reached your destination” will scare the daylights out of a few infirm mourners.

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    Sep 13th 2017, 9:54 PM

    For mourners who do not want to come to a dead stop!

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    Sep 13th 2017, 11:07 PM

    Ya want ‘Fry’s’ with that?

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    Sep 13th 2017, 9:52 PM

    Anyone see Stacey Dooley Japan doc last night? Japan is seriously f##ked up with what she exposed

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    Sep 13th 2017, 10:16 PM

    @Stan: The irony of the BBC caring about young people being at risk!

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    Sep 13th 2017, 11:10 PM

    @TravellingTheWorld: Acting like they didn’t know or help Jimmy among many other presenters.

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    Sep 13th 2017, 11:16 PM

    What?

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    Sep 13th 2017, 11:08 PM

    Ashes to Ashes dust to ,let’s burn the F ****r and get back on the bus.

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    Sep 17th 2017, 1:40 AM
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    Sep 17th 2017, 1:34 AM

    [url=http://www.google.com]www.thejournal.ie[/url]

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