Seanad Éireann debate -
Thursday, 18 Feb 1988

Vol. 118 No. 12

Cuairt Uachtarán Phoblacht na Fraince: Tairiscint.

Mr. Lanigan

Tairgim:

Chun fáilte a chur roimh A Shoilse Francois Mitterrand, Uachtarán Phoblacht na Fraince, go hÉirinn agus d'fhonn a chuairt a aithint ar bhealach suntasach, go dtiocfaidh dhá Theach an Oireachtais le chéile i gcomhshuí i Seomra na Dála Dé hAoine, 26 Feabhra, 1988, agus go dtabharfar cuireadh d'Uachtarán Phoblacht na Fraince an comhshuí sin a aitheasc; gurb é an Ceann Comhairle a bheidh i gCeannas chun críocha an chomhshui sin; gurbh é a bheidh in imeachtaí an chomhshuí sin óráid ón gCeann Comhairle ag fáiltiú roimh an Uachtarán, aitheasc an Uachtaráin agus oráid ó Chathaoirleach an tSeanaid ag gabháil buíochais as an aitheasc; agus gurb é an t-am don chomhshuí sin 3 p.m.

Mrs. Bulbulia

So enthusiastic was I about this particular measure that I rose a little early on the Order of Business to welcome it. I think it is tremendously significant and historic that we should welcome the President of the French Republic, Francois Mitterrand, to Ireland and to honour him with a joint sitting of both Houses of the Oireachtas. Le President Mitterrand, sera bienvenue chez nous. I am particularly pleased because I know that this visit will be received with tremendous enthusiasm by the general public. There are many historic ties between Ireland and France.

Indeed, looking around this Chamber it strikes me that the two portraits we have are of Tone and Emmet resplendent in full military uniform of the French forces. That is a very pleasing coincidence. I also note the fact that the Cathaoirleach of the Seanad will make the speech of thanks. That confers a signal honour on this House, that our Cathaoirleach is to take such a pre-eminent part in the visit. I would like to express my warm welcome for it.

Mr. Ferris

Ba mhaith liom a rá go raibh maith agat to the Leader of the House —merci beaucoup— for agreeing that we should welcome His Excellency, Francois Mitterrand. It gives me particular pleasure because Mr. Mitterrand is a socialist. The last guest we had in the Houses of the Oireachtas, Bob Hawke, was also a socialist. Perhaps it augurs well for the future that our international guests are all of the same philosophy as the group on this side of the House.

Mr. Lanigan

If Mr. Hawke heard the Senator he would turn in his bicentennial grave.

Mr. Ross

What about Reagan?

Mr. Ferris

Things are improving.

Mrs. Bulbulia

There is socialism and socialism.

Mr. Ferris

I think it is appropriate to record the fact that His Excellency is a socialist. It is a fact. He is part of the socialist international group with which the Labour Party in Ireland are associated and affiliated. It gives me particular pleasure to be able to identify with the motion from the Leader of the House that he should be afforded the signal honour of addressing both Houses of the Oireachtas. I join with my colleague, Senator Bulbulia, in recording the fact that the Cathaoirleach of this House will be associated with that formal address of welcome and thanks. That is an honour for us and it is appropriate that as one of the Houses of the Oireachtas we should be associated with what is, in fact, a historic visit to this country.

Mr. B. Ryan

Cuirim fáilte roimh an rún seo ar Riar na hOibre. May I say that it will be a particular pleasure to have a Head of State visiting us who is a man of some culture, a man of some compassion, a man of considerable intelligence and a man who has a capacity to think in global terms about the problems of the world? I welcome his visit. I welcome the opportunity we will all have to welcome him. I welcome in particular the extremely profound contrast between this visitor and the previous occasion on which we were asked to welcome a Head of State.

I emphasise again the qualities of intelligence, culture and vision this Head of State has and contrast them with those of a Head of State of another great power who visited us. In this case I am happy to welcome the visit of a Head of State of some dignity and some culture.

An Leas-Chathaoirleach

The Chair would be concerned that comparisons be are certainly not in keeping with the traditions of this House. I hope that no other speaker will dare to tread on that line.

Mr. Ross

I do not think it is appropriate that this motion should be used as an opportunity for insulting another Head of State, whatever one thinks of his policies, in an underhand way. Despite the fact that President Mitterrand is a socialist I should like to welcome him here.

An Leas-Chathaoirleach

We can welcome him as the Head of a great Republic — France.

Mr. Ross

You stole the words out of my mouth. I should like to say what a great honour it is for us. I would like to welcome the fact that it is becoming almost a habit that when Heads of State or Prime Ministers come here they get an opportunity to address both Houses and we get an opportunity to listen to them. President Mitterrand, is an man of enormous distinction over many years in the politics of France and it is a great honour that we should have an opportunity to welcome him.

Professor Murphy

The main reason I am getting up is that it might be thought that I am somehow against the visit of the President of France. I agree, of course, that we should not go into details about personality and policies. France is no more perfect than any other country. Indeed, in terms of its attitude to nuclear power and the use thereof its policies are very far from being enlightened. Ach ní hé sin an cheist. Aontaím le mo chomh-Sheanadóirí.

Mr. Lanigan

I would like to thank Senators for the welcome they have given to this motion. The visit will mean that we will have to have a further motion here next week so that there can be a proper recording of the speech of the President. The speech must be officially recorded. It would normally be in English and Irish but because the President will be speaking in French there has to be a change to allow that to happen.

Cuireadh agus aontaíodh an cheist.