Seanad debates

Thursday, 10 April 2014

10:50 am

Photo of Michael MullinsMichael Mullins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I join colleagues in wishing Jody well. I discovered early on following my election to Seanad Éireann three years ago that we had mutual friends. I will always appreciate the sound and solid advice provided by Jody to me when Acting Chairman and the help, support and courtesy she extends to all Members. I wish her a long, happy and healthy retirement to do all the things she has not had time to do in recent years. I wish her well and thank her for her outstanding service to Seanad Éireann and to Ireland.

It goes without saying that we are immensely proud of the impact on Ireland and Britain of the President's State visit to the UK. President and Mrs Higgins have made a huge impact on the British people and have made us all aware of how highly regarded the Irish people in England are and the great successes so many of them have achieved. In my view, the success of the State visit must be built on. Politicians must take the initiative in this regard. We all hope that trade, commerce and tourism will be positively impacted in the years ahead. In my view, the real objective must be a strengthening of the fragile peace process in Northern Ireland by dealing with the issues that remain unresolved from the failed Haass talks. As we head towards the month of July and the marching season, all the goodwill currently out there must be harnessed. For this reason, I ask that the Leader organise at the earliest possible opportunity in the next term a debate with the Tánaiste on how this historic event can be built upon and how politicians can make the next positive moves to cement the work being done in Northern Ireland and to resolve the outstanding issues causing difficulty there.

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