Michael D. Higgins

“I will be a President for all the people, whether they voted for me or not, whether they are young or old and particularly for the Irish abroad. I'm looking forward to it and I think it will be exciting and wonderful.”

“I think the important thing now is to have a celebration and then with determination move into our common, shared, different future.”

“Now it is time to turn to an older wisdom that, while respecting material comfort and security as a basic right of all, also recognises that many of the most valuable things in life cannot be measured.”

“I have encountered on this long road an enthusiasm for an Irishness which will be built on recognising again those sources from which spring the best of our reason and curiosity.”

“I am delighted with the strong vote I have received. My message of positive leadership, patriotism and commitment clearly was resonating with tens of thousands of ordinary Irish people.”

“The connection has been lost between the country's direction, especially with regard to the way in which the economy has been run, and the citizen.”

“I am delighted to be back home in Galway, the place I first came to as a 19-year-old in 1960. It's here where my heart is and will forever be.”

“The reconnection of society, economy and ethics is a project we cannot postpone.”

“I want to say a very sincere thank you for this welcome home - it is a wonderful welcome home. It is the place to where I return and where I will always return because it is of Galway that I am.”

“While the wider global environment is worrying, we are seeing some positive results in our economic affairs.”

“Through the inspiration of Vaclav's words, the courage of his dissidence and the integrity of his leadership, Czechoslovakia successfully transitioned from an authoritarian state to a free democracy at the heart of Europe.”

“I am very glad as well that it is a presidency built on a campaign that emphasized ideas. I hope it will be a presidency that will enable everybody to be part of and proud of.”

“The mandate I have received and for which I will speak with heart and head to implement over the next seven years had its four pillars - an inclusive citizenship, equality and participation and respect in a creative society creating an excellence in everything we Irish do.”

“The presidency is an independent office and the Irish people whom I appreciate so much and I take with such responsibility have given a very clear mandate on a very clear set of ideas to me, as the ninth president.”

“Every age, after all, must have its own aisling and dream of a better, kinder, happier, shared world.”

“I want to say to all of you that when I take my oath of office I will do my absolute best to use all of my abilities for all of the people of Ireland.”

“The necessary transformation of which I speak and of which my presidency will be a part is built on turning creative possibilities into live realities for all our people.”

“Making an Irishness to be proud of in a real Republic. It is the vision of a real Republic where life and language, where ideals and experience have the ring of authenticity which we need now as we go forward.”

“Ireland has made its choice for the future and it has chosen the version of Irishness it will build. I know, and I will work with head and heart to be part of it with all of you in creating that future one in which all of us can be part of and part of us too.”

“We need to discuss the basis of a new form of trust built on a meaningful form of citizenship appropriate for a republic.”