Truly an inspiration.
Mary Robinson has been praised for her appearance on Friday night’s Late Late Show.
The former president of Ireland joined Ryan Tubridy to discuss climate change, her newly appointed position as chair of human rights group, The Elders, and the recent presidential election.
Robinson said that although she hadn’t been following the election closely, she noticed a tendency to “demonise the other” during the various campaigns.
She said:
“I remember how hard we had to work to make sure that people did understand and respect the Travelling community.
“There is always, beneath the surface, a tendency to want to demonise the other, be threatened by the other, and not respect the other.”
Robinson was referring to former presidential candidate Peter Casey and the surge of popularity he received following his controversial and bigoted comments about the Travelling community.
She said that such prejudices “can flare up as it seems to have done in this election. I think it happens and it happens with populism.”
Robinson also explained that her new role as chair of The Elders meant that she was going to meet with US president Donald Trump.
She said that she didn’t wish to meet Trump, but that she would “shake his hand” and be “skeptical” of him.
"I like to speak about President Trump as little as possible" Mary Robinson on Donald Trump #latelate pic.twitter.com/IkEpYMHzAL
— RTÉ One (@RTEOne) November 2, 2018
“What I see of where he’s at and just how preoccupied he is about himself,” she said.
“It’s all about him. Even when he goes to funerals; even when he goes to commiserate with people, it’s about how they treated him.”
Viewers were decidedly impressed with Robinson’s words and her dedication to global human rights and climate focused causes.
They took to Twitter to share their thoughts.
Could listen to Mary Robinson forever. What a legend. Continuing to make such a positive contribution on the global stage & putting it up to us all to do more and do better #LateLateShow
— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) November 2, 2018
A huge supporter of women's rights and now fighting to save the planet, Mary Robinson is one of Ireland's greatest people. Her contribution is not recognised enough here #latelate
— Colette Sexton (@colette_sexton) November 2, 2018
I was writing & talking this week about women of a certain age stepping into their true power. Mary Robinson is a shining example of what I was on about. Makes me so proud to be IRISH. #latelateshow @RTEOne
— Barbara Scully (@barbarascully) November 2, 2018
Mary Robinson has been a breath of fresh air in Irish public life for decades. https://t.co/JuixFnk1DV
— Michael O'Regan (@Michael_O_Regan) November 2, 2018
Whenever I get sick of Ireland and Irish people I listen to Mary Robinson for a while and the world seems a little better. What a legend #LateLate
— Seán Defoe (@SeanDefoe) November 2, 2018
https://twitter.com/gillianfitz/status/1058478438120595456
Meanwhile, the Late Late had been criticised earlier on in the week for their decision to include Peter Casey in their lineup.
He also appeared on last night’s programme to talk about his failed presidential campaign and his plans to run for a seat in the Dáil.
Music came from The Blizzards.
