Maria Byrne (Fine Gael)

Before we move to the Order of Business, I welcome the head of mission to Spain and the staff from the Spanish Embassy here to mark Spanish National Day. They are accompanied by Deputy Michael Cahill, who is the convenor of the Ireland-Spain Parliamentary Friendship Group. They are very welcome and I hope they have an enjoyable day on their national day. Ireland and Spain have enjoyed a centuries-long relationship that goes all the way back to the 16th century, with the signing of the Treaty of Dingle in 1529. This bond has only grown as the centuries have passed, with many Irish pilgrims making their way along the Camino de Santiago, and those who have sought refuge in Spain in the aftermath of the Flight of the Earls in 1607.

Today we share strong cultural ties, with Spanish people being the fifth largest tourist group in Ireland and countless Irish people having made previous memories on holiday in Spain, given 2.3 million Irish people visit Spain every year. Many Spanish people travel to Ireland, not just for tourism but to learn English and Spain is Ireland's second largest EU market for English language training. The result has been a huge number of Spanish people having spent time in Ireland during their adolescence, continuing and strengthening our centuries-long friendship. To the 40,000 Spanish people who call Ireland home and to everyone in Spain, we wish them a happy national day.

I call the Leader to outline the Order of Business.