Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I also welcome the Ambassador from Kosovo and thank him for his work.

Last year, we marked the centenary of our State's independence. We understand how difficult the struggle for democracy can be and we also note that what is hard won is often all too easily lost. Like peace, democracy is an act; it is not a state. It is an act in which all Members of this House play an important part every single day, ensuring that our constituents feel that they have a stake in wider society and that democracy is delivering for them. Politically, we all have our differences and whether in the Seanad or the Dáil, we have our disagreements too. Indeed, such debate is an integral part of democracy but diverse as we are, we share much. We are all proud Irish citizens and committed democrats.

This House has always had a special bond with the Council of Europe. Over the decades, many Senators and officials have devoted countless hours to working in Strasbourg. I mentioned earlier the remarkable contribution of Senator Norris, which is historic by any measurement. As a Senator, President Higgins spent many years as a PACE delegate. As his address to the assembly last Autumn attested, his enthusiasm for the work has clearly never waned. The same energy and enthusiasm is evident in the commitment of our current delegation. Over differing time spans, Senator O'Loughlin and her delegation, which includes Senators Gavan, Garvey and Joe O'Reilly, have all contributed to the summit's preparation and, I hope, its success. This work earns our State an international reputation, makes the Council of Europe a better institution and ultimately, makes the Continent a better place.

Politicians rely on their staff. Before concluding, I acknowledge the efforts of a woman who probably knows the road to Strasbourg better than anyone. Ms Eileen Lawlor has been the delegation secretary for some years now and has shepherded countless delegations to Strasbourg and home again. She is out of action for the next few weeks, having undergone knee surgery yesterday, but I have no doubt she will be tuning in to the Reykjavik summit from her recovery bed. She will be back home to welcome the Council of Europe's Conference of Presidents of Parliament to Dublin in September.

Since our Presidency of the Council concluded in November, Irish officials have been working very closely with their Icelandic counterparts to ensure this month's summit leaves lasting change. We have made a particular effort to bolster Council of Europe co-operation with other international organisations. Only last week, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution supporting co-operation with the Council of Europe and reaffirming support for Ukraine and Georgia. Following intensive diplomatic outreaches, Ireland and our Icelandic co-chair were proud that 122 states supported the resolution, with only a handful joining Russia to oppose it. Last week, at our initiation, the Council of Europe secretary general and the Icelandic foreign minister joined the Tánaiste and EU foreign ministers at the Foreign Affairs Council, providing a platform to explain preparations for the summit and to encourage EU states to engage with it. On foot of these efforts, nearly all EU member states have confirmed that they will be represented at the summit at the highest political level, a departure from previous summits and a strong and needed signal of political commitment. At the invitation of the Icelandic prime minister, the Taoiseach will co-chair a roundtable discussion on stressing the Council of Europe's role in European multilateral architecture. I hope this summit will prove to be an important moment in the history of the Council of Europe and that it will see us emerge with a strengthened council, stronger protections for human rights, a reaffirmation of democratic principles and accountability for Ukraine. Having worked this past year towards delivering the summit, the work on delivering it begins the day after. Of democracy, John F. Kennedy said that it is never a final achievement but a call to untiring effort. Whether in this House or in Strasbourg, it is through Senators' untiring efforts that our citizens' voices are heard and, day by day, our democracy is renewed.