Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Cuirim fáilte faoi leith roimh Uachtarán Pharlaimint na hEorpa chuig ár bParlaimint. Déanaim comhghairdeas leis as ucht an méid atá bainte amach aige i rith a shaoil agus go háirithe, i gcomhthéacs obair Pharlaimint na hEorpa. I wish to join with colleagues in welcoming the President to Dáil Éireann. It is a very fitting time for his visit, both because of the growing importance of the Parliament itself, which he leads, and the unprecedented crisis now faced by member states across Europe, by the institutions of the European Union and above all, by the citizens of the European Union. In the President's political career, he has built a well-earned reputation as a person of passionate beliefs who also seeks and encourages candid debate. The UCD student debate in which he participated last night with Members of this House, including my colleague, Deputy Dooley, was a very good example of this. I note the President later promoted him in jest to leadership of the party, such was the power of his performance.

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