Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the state visit of President Michael D. Higgins to Britain. I know Senators on all sides will be extremely proud of Uachtaráin na hÉireann today. The nature of the welcome extended to the President and the huge amounts of goodwill shown towards him on the streets of London and Windsor indicate that this is a genuinely good news story. There are two really positive aspects to his visit, the first of which relates to the issue of reconciliation between both North and South and the two islands. Events such as the state dinner at which the Deputy First Minister, Mr. Martin McGuinness, will be present are a sign of progress and positive developments. As the President indicated, the visit will provide an opportunity to acknowledge and recognise the huge contribution members of the Irish diaspora have made to England and, more generally, Britain. I welcome that fact. The President's visit to Coventry in the coming days will, in part, be a recognition and an important signifier of the fact that so many members of his own family emigrated in the 1950s. I just wanted to take this opportunity to mark the occasion of the President's visit to the neighbouring island.

I welcome the announcement by the Cabinet earlier today of the terms of reference of the commission of investigation that will be operating under the chairmanship of Mr. Justice Nial Fennelly. The Leader will respond to Senator Darragh O'Brien's request that the Attorney General be brought before the House but I must state that said request smacks of flogging a dead horse at this stage.