Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)
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I welcome the Tánaiste, his team of officials and the representatives from the embassies. The Presidency is going well and I commend him on that. Agreement has been reached on the budget and progress is being made on other issues. I will not comment in detail on these matters other than to wish him well at the meeting. I commend our ambassador in Brussels, Rory Montgomery, and his team on the excellent job they are doing. I visited Brussels with the Chairman and other members. I found when representing Ireland in a past Presidency that ambassadors and their staff provide tremendous support for Ministers and officials. We are renowned for the ability of our people on the ground in Brussels.

The Tánaiste is in a unique position with the Presidency in respect of other matters not mentioned in his opening statement. He and I have been to Israel and Palestine. He was there in his previous life as a member of the Labour Party.