I welcome Ambassador Laureniu-Mihai tefan, the Romanian ambassador to Ireland, and his counsellors who are with us in the Distinguished Visitors Gallery. The ambassador is most welcome today in advance of Romania's national day celebrates that country's independence, which it achieved 105 years ago this year, I believe. Romania and Ireland are two of the many countries which utilised the turmoil of the fallout from the First World War to achieve independence. Romania is one of the many countries that secured independence from the defeated powers. As President Michael D. Higgins has pointed out, Ireland was the only country to get a form of independence from a winning power in the First World War. As a result of that shared struggle for independence more than a century ago and our membership of the European Union, Romania and Ireland share a special bond and we celebrate the growing ties between our two countries. Ireland obviously struggled for independence against one empire. Romania had to struggle against three empires, so its struggle was all the greater.
Not only do Romania and Ireland work together in the European Union but we also do so in the United Nations. The 120,000 Romanians living in Ireland contribute to our society and economy, working at all levels from high tech through to the hospitality industry and many other industries. Waterford Crystal chandeliers hang here in Seanad Éireann. In 1951, one of many artists and tradespeople, a man named Josef Cretzan, was offered a job in the Waterford Crystal factory. He contributed enormously to the success of Waterford Crystal as an iconic Irish brand. Pieces of Waterford Crystal adorn the mantlepieces, houses and, indeed, parliaments of many countries. We welcome the ambassador today in advance of his country's national day of celebrations. Of course, I also mention Ms Ilinca Popa from the Seanad Office who works diligently with us in the Seanad and has been with us for many years. We thank her for her service to Seanad Éireann.
