Before we return to the Finance Bill, I want to remind Members of the House that we are very honoured this afternoon to have with us the first Soviet delegation to Ireland, led by Mr. Guri Borodin. He has come to the Distinguished Visitors Gallery this afternoon. I would like the House to acknowledge his presence and would like to ask the Leader of the House, and only the Leader of the House, to make a very short comment.
Death of Councillor Fullerton. - Visit of Soviet Union Delegation.
On behalf of the House. I would like to welcome warmly this first parliamentary delegation from the Soviet Union. I know that they are here in a reciprocal arrangement, as it were, when the Cathaoirleach led a deputation to the Soviet Union. They are here to develop and promote friendship among parliamentarians. I wish then well and I hope them have an enjoyable trip.
On behalf of my party, I have great pleasure also in welcoming to the House the Soviet delegation. We are delighted they have found time to join us in the Seanad on Committee Stage of our Finance Bill, I hope they have enjoyed their visit to the Houses of the Oireachtas and, indeed, to our beautiful country and that it will not be too long before they return to spend more time with us.
On behalf of the Progressive Democrats I join with the expressions of welcome to our guests from the Soviet Union. We are very pleased to see them here. We hope they enjoy their stay, that they benefit from it and that they go back with a good impression of the country and of the Seanad.
On behalf of the Labour Party I, too, want to welcome our guests from the Soviet Union. It is tremendous to see a Soviet delegation here at this time with all the changes that are taking place in the world, particularly in Eastern Europe. We welcome them, I hope they enjoy their stay and that they go back to the USSR with good memories of Ireland.
I would like to thank the Members of the House for their kind expressions of welcome to the Soviet delegation, which I know is very much appreciated.