I welcome to our Distinguished Visitors Gallery the ambassador from Greece. Today is Greece's national day and we are delighted to have our friends from Greece here to mark the beginning of the Greek revolution. The ambassador is joined by his wife.
It is more than 200 years since the beginning of the Greek revolution in 1822, a war that involved a Corkman, General Richard Church, who led the Greek army in the latter stages of the war and ended up becoming a Greek senator and a Greek citizen.
There are more than 5,000 Greek citizens in Ireland. The Hellenic Community of Ireland was established in 1964 and runs the Greek school in Dublin. Nearly 150 children from that Greek community are taught in the school. Our cultural links go a long way back. James Joyce insisted the cover of Ulysses be published in the Greek colours such was his love of all things from Greece. In fact, books were being published in Greek in Dublin before they were being published in Greece in their native language.
Next year, 2026, will be the 45th anniversary of Greece joining the European Union, which, I think we can all agree, transformed both our countries. For Greece's support during the tough and challenging Brexit negotiations, we thank our visitors. On their national day, we thank them for being here and wish them a happy national day and independence day.
Anois, I call on the Leader to outline the Order of Business.
