Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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I welcome to the Distinguished Visitors Gallery the ambassador from Croatia, H.E. Davor Vidiš. Not only is the ambassador famous in his own right but his first cousin-in-law is the Mayor of Dubrovnik.

Victor Boyhan (Independent)
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I would love to visit Dubrovnik.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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We have a volunteer for the friendship group. Croatia's national day is coming up and we commemorate all the national days of our EU partners. I understand it will be the 35th anniversary of Croatia's statehood and the establishment of its new constitution in 1990. The links between our two countries go back much further to when a field marshal in the Austrian army, a man from Westmeath, was very much an advocate for independence and statehood for Croatia. We share a love of language and I understand there is a statue of James Joyce in Pula. Just as St. Patrick's Day is celebrated in that city, we are delighted to celebrate Croatia's national day in Seanad Éireann. I thank the ambassador for being here with us today.