Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)

On my own behalf and on behalf of Seanad Éireann I welcome Mr. Joe McCartin, Member of the European Parliament for the Connacht-Ulster constituency since 1994. Prior to that Mr. McCartin served in both Seanad Éireann and Dáil Éireann since 1973. Our acquaintance goes back a long way. We were both elected to the agricultural panel of the Seanad in 1977 and we served together in this House. It is a privilege to have Mr. McCartin here today to address the House under Standing Order 52(A).