Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Before I call on the first speaker, on behalf of the Members of the House, I welcome a delegation from the United States from the great state and city of New York, who join us in the Distinguished Visitors Gallery. You are very welcome and I thank you for being here and for the work you are doing on both sides of the island of Ireland. Earlier today, I had the pleasure of meeting Congressman Tim Kennedy, from the wonderful city of Buffalo, who is an extraordinary friend to all of us in the Oireachtas.

I also welcome our Consul General in New York, Helena Nolan. I congratulate her on her imminent appointment as the new ambassador to Morocco. I wish her well and thank her for all of the work she has done and will do, but more importantly at the moment, for all the work she has done in New York. I also offer our deepest sympathies on her recent bereavement. I realise it is a difficult time and I thank her for being here today.

I will be meeting the delegation later in meeting room 2.I do not normally single out people. My old friend Mike Carroll is here who has minded me since I became a Member of the Oireachtas in 2007 and led me into many different places I never would have been. I thank Mike for being here and look forward to meeting the delegation later. Céad míle fáilte roimh gach duine.