Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The ambassador is very welcome. I thank her for appearing before the committee to outline the Romanian plans for its Presidency of the European Union. As the Chairman stated, it is a great honour for Romania. I have no doubt it will do a very good job on its preparation because it has been a member of the EU for 11 years. A significant amount of preparatory work has already been done. This is the most historic period since the establishment of the European Union, formerly the European Economic Community, as a result of what is happening in the United Kingdom. It will be a sad occasion if the United Kingdom leaves the European Union. We should be honest that the EU will be a lesser organisation without it. However, the decision to leave is currently one for the United Kingdom and we will have to work with that when it becomes a reality.

The committee was invited to the meeting of the Conference of Parliamentary Committees for European Affairs, COSAC, last Monday in Romania. Members were not in a position to attend due to the 100th anniversary of Dáil Éireann. Her Excellency Mrs. Breazu was present at the commemoration. We were represented at the COSAC meeting by officials and the Irish ambassador to Romania and we hope to attend its June meeting in Romania. It was very significant for members to be present for the commemoration of the First Dáil in memory and recognition of the contribution made by the brave men and women who established it.