Sean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome, as Senator Bacik has, the announcement by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Charles Flanagan, that he has accepted the invitation to the Armistice day event. It strengthens the improvement in relations, as manifested in events such as the Orange Order and Queen Elizabeth coming to Ireland and President Higgins visiting the UK. Some 50,000 Irish people were killed in the First World War. I am very honoured to represent a constituency in which commemorations of 9 November and 11 November have been held every year at a memorial which has approximately 650 names on it in a small Trinity College Dublin community of approximately 1,000 students who lost their lives in the First World War. It is very moving and touching and is part of the continuing reconciliation between the two islands. It is a very important and welcome development. I welcome the invitation and, even more so, the Minister's decision to accept. It brings the relationship between Ireland and Britain to a new high.