Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

Go raibh maith agat. I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Creighton, who is responsible for European affairs. Having been a Minister of State responsible for trade and marketing during the 1990 Presidency I realise how important and significant the Presidency is for this country and it is a single honour for us to host it. We have been most efficient and effective in all of our Presidencies and I have no doubt that this one will be as successful. As spokesperson for European affairs in the Seanad, I wish the Minister of State well and offer her my full co-operation and assistance for when the delegations come to Ireland. It is important that the Opposition is involved as much as possible. The Government and the main Opposition party here have adopted a united approach to the role of Europe, its significance and extend a welcome to our European colleagues that will come to Dublin for meetings of the Council during the Presidency period. As she said, next year will be the 40th anniversary of our accession to the European Union and it is significant that we mark the occasion. It is a significant event and the deal was signed by the late Jack Lynch, a former Taoiseach and the late Paddy Hillery, a former Minister for External Affairs, now known as foreign affairs, and President. We must bear it in mind during the Presidency.

Croatia will also join the family of members in January 2013 or during the period.