Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish Limerick and all the other counties that are going forward for the European City of Culture well. The judging team is in Ireland at present. It is visiting Limerick, where there has been a huge display of community spirit. The whole of O'Connell Street is closed off and everything from pastries to fish and chips is available to eat. Schools are also involved. There has been a great community effort and a major clean-up. I also wish the other counties, the sister cities and Galway the best of luck. However, given where I come from, I will obviously be supporting Limerick on Friday. Certainly, it is positive that the European Commission has sent a representative as well. I merely want to highlight the community spirit that has been created. When the judges arrived last night, there was a gathering of people of different religious beliefs across all the different communities and all the bells in the various churches rang out. There is an on-street party taking place today. I wish those involved the very best of luck.