This was the first programme in my 2016 radio series, The Joe Jackson Tapes Revisited. RTE Radio 1  promoted it as 'A previously unheard interview with President Michael D Higgins.' The press release - included on the YouTube version of this podcast - also read:

'In tonight's episode, acclaimed journalist Joe Jackson takes a revisionist tilt on his controversial 1993 and view of the now president of Ireland Michael D Higgins, in which “we learn a lot more about the man in his politics than he usually revealed, “ according to Joe.

During the four and a half-hour interview conducted over a two day. Joan Michael D discussed subjects such as cultural politics third world politics Bob Dylan drugs Eamon Dunphy and Gerry Adams.

“My abiding memory of the interview,” says Joe, “is of how formidable, ferocious and funny Michael D Higgins could be when defending himself against his critics."