Before proceeding further, I feel sure that the Members of this House will wish to join with me in welcoming the President of the Portuguese Republic, Dr. Mario Soares, and his charming wife. It is our ardent hope that their visit to Ireland will be happy and successful and I bid them a most hearty céad míle fáilte, a hundred thousand welcomes. I wish to welcome also certain members of his entourage, HE The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. José Manuel Durao Barroso, HE The Ambassador of Portugal to Ireland, Dr. Luís Pazos Alonso and Mrs. Alonso; the Vice-President of the Parliament of Portugal, Dr. Leonor Beleza and the President of the Portuguese-Irish Parliamentary Group, Dr. Edite Estrela. Dáil Éireann salutes you and through you the grand people of Portugal, whom you so nobly represent.
