Michael Comiskey (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I join others in congratulating our former colleague, Deirdre Clune, on her election to the European Parliament.

I welcome the announcement of Mr. Kevin O'Malley as the new American ambassador to Ireland. I look forward to him visiting the House in the near future.

We hear a great deal of negative news but I welcome the news relating to counties Sligo and Leitrim over the past week. Last Friday morning, the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation visited Carrick-on-Shannon in County Leitrim to announce the creation of 125 new jobs, which is welcome in an area from which many people have emigrated. This will give them an opportunity to return to work in their native country. Last Tuesday, the Taoiseach announced the creation of 175 jobs in Sligo, which I also welcome.