Mark Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Before I ask the Leader to outline the Order of Business, I have two groups to welcome to Seanad Éireann. From the great state of Massachusetts we are joined by Representative Daniel Carey and his wife. I thank them for joining us in the Seanad while they are on their honeymoon. We are delighted they are able to come here. We had the American ambassador in earlier. We hope they enjoy thanksgiving this week. We appreciate the long and distinguished relationship between Ireland and the United States of America and especially Massachusetts which became home to so many people from all over this island. We look forward to them coming back and celebrating 2026, which is the 250th anniversary of American independence. George Washington acknowledged the great links between Ireland and the United States of America at that time when the war was being lost and he said that when America's flags were friendless, Ireland's sons were its only friends. We greatly appreciate them coming to Seanad Éireann today. The other group I would like to welcome to Seanad Éireann today is from Claremont. They are from the deaf community. I thank Senator Boyhan for bringing them in today. Seanad Éireann played a key role in the recognition of Irish Sign Language. The very fact that we have a sign language interpreter in the Chamber is because we passed the legislation in this regard. The Ceann Comhairle put together a policy on sign language interpreters. Through the legislation passed, with the support of all sides in Seanad Éireann, members of the deaf community are able to access Government services. We are delighted they have come here today as citizens of this State to their Parliament and that they are able to understand what is going on in their own language. We are delighted Senator Boyhan brought people who have been in Claremont to the Seanad today. I thank them for visiting.