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Seanad
‹ Order of Business

Response on language and Europe

Summary

The Leader promised to ask the Minister to come to the House, praised Senator Leyden’s Council of Europe work, and said the Seanad should press Ireland’s case in Europe after Brexit.

I will respond. There will be no obfuscation on my part. Hillary Clinton made a remark in the first US presidential debate and it transcends a lot of what is happening in this country. She said "language is important." How we operate and communicate are critical. I will ask the Minister to come to the House. I will have no issue in doing so.

I commend Senator Terry Leyden for his work at the Council of Europe. It is important that he, with other Members of the House and the leader of the delegation, Senator Joe O'Reilly, work to have our case heard in Europe, particularly post-Brexit.

I refer to the relocation of the Seanad which is the Upper House of the Oireachtas. A process is being undertaken. I pay tribute to the Cathaoirleach and the former Cathaoirleach, Senator Paddy Burke, for the work they undertook in bringing the matter to a resolution. There would be no benefit or gain in continuing a public discourse on the issue. I appeal to all Members to accept that the process will continue and I am sure we will find a suitable home for this august body of Members.

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