Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I support Senator Cullinane's suggestion that as part of the State commemoration of the 1913 Lock-out, the Seanad might consider inviting a senior trade union official to address us. It would be most appropriate.

I compliment President Michael D. Higgins on the very courteous and generous message of goodwill which he issued on the impending resignation of Pope Benedict. I join with that the generous message from An Tánaiste, Deputy Gilmore. He pointed out specifically the work which the Pope had been doing for peace in the world, and never was that more important than it is at the moment. Our representatives have joined with the President of the United States and the other world leaders in pointing to the work which the papacy and the church itself has been doing throughout the world. President Obama was exceptionally open in his comment when he talked about the contribution being made by the Catholic Church to the United States. We could all learn from that.

We live in an imperfect world and at times we isolate issues away from the overall attitude we should have to people and organisations that are endeavouring to make society better, more equal and safer. The current good will that is evident on all television stations might prompt up to seriously consider reopening the Irish Embassy at the Vatican. If it is genuinely a financial issue I have no doubt we could raise the money throughout the world to pay for it. With the upcoming election of a new Pope, there is a danger that we might be misrepresented among the nations of the world. No one wants that and now is a time to revisit that decision and come up with a solution.