I join other Senators in congratulating the Irish soccer team on a wonderful and deserved win against Italy last night. It was a superb match and the team played great. Like many others, my small daughters who play soccer and I were glued to the television. We all wish the team the best of luck on Sunday when they play France. I agree with Senator David Norris that the sight of the President celebrating at the match was wonderful. It was also a good day for Galway United since our Head of State is also its number one fan and has a long track record of interest in and enthusiasm for football.

On a more serious note, on the day Britain votes in the referendum on membership of the European Union, I speak again in support of the "Remain" side. Like other university Senators, I have a large number of constituents who have a vote in the referendum and have been doing all I can to urge them to vote "Remain". I know that the Irish community in the United Kingdom is generally in favour of Britain remaining in the European Union. It is in Ireland's interests, including our economic interests, and those of social Europe that we all wish to see progressed that Britain vote to remain in the European Union.

Many of us attended an event in Buswells Hotel yesterday organised by One Foundation at which we met the foundation's youth ambassadors. It was an interesting event in terms of international development and solidarity issues. I commend One Foundation and other non-governmental organisations such as Oxfam for organising an event at 4 p.m. yesterday on the Ha'penny Bridge which a number of us attended to remember Jo Cox and celebrate her legacy in a minute's silence.