Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the delegation, including the ambassador, for being here. I welcome them formally. We met yesterday, but on the record of the Oireachtas, I give a huge welcome formally to the delegation from Kenya.

Yesterday, members of this committee had the opportunity to directly engage with members of the petitions committee from Kenya. I found it to be a useful dialogue. I learned a lot from what is happening in Kenya and from the individuals who all made contributions. It is great to hear His Excellency speak about the mutual relationship between our two great countries and talk about our united front on such issues as climate change. It is interesting to hear that 1,000 Kenyans work in the tech sector alone in Ireland. That goes to show the hugely important role that residents, citizens and members of our new communities are playing in our society and economy. Speaking on behalf of the committee, I thank the ambassador, on behalf of the people involved, for making Ireland their home. They are welcome here. We need them. It is great to see students in our colleges because that is how we develop a truly diverse, inclusive and progressive society. I thank the delegation.