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I'm still a proud Irishman, of course, but I've become an American citizen. I'm very, very proud of that.

I'm happy with the vote and the support. I'm very glad that it is so decisive. It will enable me to be a president for all of the people.

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.

I hope that at the end of the seven years, people will say that I have been of some inspirational value to them at home in terms of inclusiveness and abroad, I look forward to representing Ireland.

I am very proud I was part of the IRA in Derry and involved in repelling the designs of the British state forces against people who were being treated as second- and third-class citizens.

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.

I'm proud to be Irish.

I am honored to have heard from so many voters, supporters, and local elected officials who have been pleased with the work I have done on their behalf. They want and deserve a leader who will aggressively pursue strong conservative policies and get results. That's exactly what I have done.

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.

I am hugely proud to have played for Ireland.