After a week of hospitalisation, President Michael D Higgins, aged 82, has returned to his residence at Áras an Uachtaráin. Expressing his gratitude, he commended the excellent and compassionate services extended by the medical personnel at St James’s Hospital during his stay.
Throughout his hospital tenure, Mr. Higgins diligently continued his constitutional responsibilities, which included scrutinising and accrediting two legislative acts: The Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023, and the Social Welfare and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023. Presently, the President will be reviewing two additional laws: the Criminal Justice (Engagement of Children in Criminal Activity) Bill 2023, and the European Arrest Warrant (Amendment) Bill 2022.
This Friday, President Higgins is scheduled to meet Taoiseach Leo Varadkar at Áras an Uachtaráin as planned. On the 29th of February, Mr. Higgins was admitted to the hospital following complaints of feeling unwell. An ambulance arrived at Áras an Uachtaráin and his condition was evaluated by paramedics before he was taken to the hospital based on medical advice for some routine tests to monitor his blood pressure in particular.
The President was under observation due to a slight ephemeral weakness but has now been discharged. His physicians have advised him to reduce the number of public appearances in the ensuing weeks as a part of his health recuperation plan.
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