Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

The House regularly and justifiably comments on and compliments members of the diplomatic staff across the world. In the last few weeks, some correspondents in the national media have referred to the retirement of an honorary consul. There are honorary consuls across the world who do an extraordinary job in promoting the interests of Ireland. They are, in a sense, unsung heroes. I ask the Leader to respond to the House acknowledging the recent retirement of the honorary consul in the Channel Islands, Ms Pamela O'Neill. I do not know Ms O'Neill personally but, wearing my other hat as a broadcaster, I am in regular contact with the Irish diaspora and I am perhaps more aware than one would normally be of the outstanding work that honorary consuls carry out, mostly in unpaid positions, in promoting the interests of Ireland abroad across a wide range of social and economic activities and particularly in the tourism area. Perhaps the House will join with me in wishing Ms O'Neill well in her retirement and thanking her officially for the outstanding contribution she has made to promoting the interests of Ireland in the Channel Islands.