I congratulate Senator Ruane on arranging the football match tonight. It is no harm for us to get out of our bubble and socialise with people, and I congratulate her on connecting us with the Breakthrough Programme. I look forward to lifting the FAI cup tonight because, as a Sligo Rovers fan, we have lifted it three times in the past 15 years, and there is only one rovers - Sligo Rovers.

I welcome the confirmation by the US House of Representatives of its support for the Good Friday Agreement and I thank Tom Suozzi and Peter King. The House of Representatives has, more or less, acknowledged the shared relationship between the US, the UK and the Republic of Ireland. They believe that Brexit does not appropriately protect the Good Friday Agreement and threatens to undermine the process. They have reaffirmed their support for the Good Friday Agreement. With the British general election coming up, it is nice that our friends in the US have stood up to be counted. On behalf of the Seanad, I thank them for their support at this time.

I join my colleagues in welcoming the Cathaoirleach back. I am delighted to see him in the Chair in this new Chamber. I wish him and his family well. I was delighted to meet his grandchildren at the turning on of the Christmas lights in Leinster House yesterday. The Cathaoirleach and the Leas-Chathaoirleach made excellent speeches.

Hear, hear.

I take this opportunity to wish my colleague, Senator Feighan, every success in the next general election. He will be a very good representative of the people of north Roscommon, Leitrim and Sligo.

And south Donegal.

And west Cavan.

I thought Senator Leyden was wishing Senator Feighan well with the match tonight.

I thank Senator Leyden for his good wishes.

Let him enjoy Christmas first.

Senator Feighan and I reconciled last night at the turning on of the lights when we sang together, and those who sing together, stay together.

Hear, hear.

I generally support Senator McDowell's comments about Taiwan. There is a representative office of Taipei in Dublin, which was opened many years ago. It was a compromise to appease the People's Republic of China. We should have representatives in Taipei.

Hear, hear.

We should have good strong relationships. I have had the honour of travelling to Taiwan. I learned that there is an Irish school in Taiwan where hundreds of people study Irish dancing. Taiwan is a wonderful country with a population of 25 million and it offers great opportunities. People do not realise that Taiwan has enormous investments in China and, therefore, both countries enjoy a strong business relationship. We tend to be reluctant to establish an office or base in Taiwan to project into the rest of that region. When I was a Minister of State with responsibility for trade, I visited the Islamic Republic of Iran, which had an Irish embassy. We should open the embassy again as there is a significant relationship between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Ireland. One street is called after an Irish person.

Bobby Sands.

Yes, and it is located right beside the British embassy. We should immediately open an office in Tehran. When I was a Minister of State, I sold beef from Ireland to Iran. We brought our veterinary people over and we had a tremendous relationship. Human rights are vital and the situation in China is very serious. There is no doubt that we should raise this matter at every opportunity at that level.

We have an opportunity now of going into Taiwan, establishing an office and expanding our trade right into China. Taiwan would give us a great foothold in the region. The expansion of embassies is a marvellous investment because trade is created. When I was in charge of An Bord Tráchtála, the embassy was our base to which representatives were invited. When the President of Ireland goes on a trade mission, there is always a marvellous response to trade. I agree with Senator McDowell that we should be realistic. Deputy John McGuiness is chairman of the Friends of Taiwan in Leinster House and our Whip is a close friend of the Taiwanese people.

I thank the Senator for all the advertisements. I am sure the next major roundabout built in Taiwan will be called the Senator Terry Leyden roundabout.

I would be pleased.