Brendan Ryan (Labour)

The lead up to a pregnancy is a lot more exciting than the lead up to a presidency. I promise not to refer to the forthcoming European elections. It would be improper for me given my possible position.

I have frequently said that the achievement of the Presidency of the European Parliament by Pat Cox is an honour for the country and fully deserved. We may disagree on many issues, as we will see over the next nine months, but the achievement of the Presidency and the way in which the President has done the job have been a credit to the European project and to Ireland.