Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As someone who has been in Madrid on many occasions, it is a beautiful city at any time.

I thank the ambassador for coming before the committee today. We very much appreciate it. The thing I took from a lot of what he was saying, and the way the questions worked and the way he was answering really brought it home, is that interconnectivity between the central themes of the Presidency. I refer to how that interconnectivity between the importance of building the relationship out of the Mercosur agreement, out of the South American countries, how it ties into the whole question of migration, how the EU is perceived on a global basis, and how it ties into the green agenda. That interconnectivity can really be seen. No matter which road one goes down, it leads to the others because they are so important. That is something that is very important for us to take on board. I refer to that real first addressing of the need for re-industrialisation, the road of what will be a huge part of European politics over the coming decades, and it is very important it is given the attention and detail that is needed. I wish the ambassador's country and the Government, whichever Government it is before or after the election, the very best over the next few months and with the EU Presidency. There are so many positive things in what he has outlined today and obviously, this committee, as the Joint Committee on European Union Affairs, looks forward to our involvement in that process, as I know will the Government and the various institutions that will play their part over the coming months in working with Spain on these issues. I thank you all for attending. With that, I conclude the meeting.