Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We appreciate the ambassador's time before the committee. We understand the work of an ambassador is now very different from what it was; it is a challenging job but it is very enjoyable. Please pass our best wishes to the support team in the Embassy, as they are extremely important to the work. Some of us have had contact with them because of incidents in our constituencies and they have always been very helpful and supportive as public representatives.

This is the first of a series of meetings in which we hope to have our ambassadors from abroad coming before the committee to outline the work done by them and their teams. They are the face, ears and eyes of the Irish people in the UK and elsewhere, and Mr. Mulhall is serving in the UK at a very important time in history, particularly with regard to relations between our countries. Our relationship with the UK can only go from strength to strength, and it is the work of the embassies abroad and our people there which helps that. I am delighted the GAA has been mentioned as I am sure Mr. Mulhall was probably there to celebrate with Clare when the Liam McCarthy Cup went to London.