Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle) | Oireachtas source

It is not often we have a welcome like that extended to a visitor. A Oirircis, Roberta Metsola, Uachtarán Pharlaimint na hEorpa, thar ceann Chomhaltaí an dá Theach agus thar mo cheann féin, cuirim fáilte romhat chuig an gComhshuí seo de Thithe an Oireachtais.

President of the European Parliament, Ms Roberta Metsola, on behalf of the Members of both Houses and on my own behalf I welcome you to this Joint Sitting of the Houses of the Oireachtas.

I also wish to recognise the Irish MEPs present, the members of the diplomatic corps and, of course, Ms Michelle O’Neill, MLA, who is also with us.

President Metsola, merħba kbira fil-parlament Irlandiż.

President Metsola, you are very welcome to the Irish Parliament.

We welcome you as the President of the ninth European Parliament - one of the key institutions of our European democratic structure. We salute you also as the third woman to lead that venerable institution, following the exemplary leadership roles of Simone Veil and Nicole Fontaine.

Our European Union was founded on the values of peace and democracy. These values have been sorely tested since its foundation. We are now experiencing the greatest test in our lifetimes, with the war in Ukraine. It is almost one year since Russia started this unprovoked and unjustified war. In that time, it has caused inestimable damage to the fabric of Ukraine, which can and will be repaired with global economic support, but it has also caused irreparable damage to the place of Russia in the world and to the Russian people. The European Parliament will play an important role in building and maintaining support for the restoration of Ukraine and its inevitable accession into the Union.

The Members of these Houses have had the pleasure of hearing recently from President Zelenskyy, who has become an extraordinary leader for his people, and we, as a people, have done our utmost to support the Ukrainian people and we will continue to do for many years to come.

President Metsola, Ireland has been at the centre of the Union since we signed the Treaty of Accession to join the European Economic Community in 1972 and joined the Community on 1 January 1973. You speak to us today as we are celebrating 50 years in the Union. Membership has been truly transformative for our country. We went from being a small, closed economy and somewhat inward-looking society on the western outskirts of Europe to becoming a larger, ever more open economy with an export-minded and outward-looking people at the social and democratic heart of the Union. Most of the great social changes in Ireland over the past 50 years has been driven by European legislation and values - values which we were proud to willingly embrace.

We have a saying in Irish - ní neart go cur le chéile. There is no strength without unity. We are truly stronger together.

President Metsola, I invite you now to address these Houses.

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