Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 72: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the significance the Government attaches to the recent presidential election and change of government in Poland; if he has spoken to the incoming President; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33506/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland and Poland enjoy excellent bilateral relations and work closely together as member states of the European Union where we have many shared interests. We look forward to maintaining this relationship with the new Government under Prime Minister-designate Marcinkiewicz which is seeking parliamentary approval today. Poland's new Foreign Minister, Mr. Stefan Meller, attended this week's meeting of the General Affairs and External Relations Council, GAERC, in Brussels at which I represented Ireland. The recently elected President, Mr. Lech Kaczynski, is scheduled to take office on 23 December and I expect that the Taoiseach and I will have the opportunity for contact with him following his inauguration.