Statement by Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann Senator Mark Daly in Seanad Éireann to mark national day of Czech Republic

Speaking in the Seanad the Cathaoirleach said: “Šťastný den nezávislosti. An independent Czechoslovakia was declared on Wenceslas Square in Prague on 28 October 1918, just a year before the first sitting of Dáil Éireann in 1919. Following independence, Ireland and Czechoslovakia had contacts at various levels, particularly at the League of Nations. Czechoslovakia established a Consulate in Dublin in 1929. The Czechoslovak Communist Coup in 1948 interrupted the development of diplomatic relations. After the ‘Velvet Revolution’ in 1989, closer relations developed. The first free Czech election was held in 1990, and in 1993 the independent Czech Republic emerged from the peaceful dissolution of Czechoslovakia. In 1995, the Irish Embassy was established in Prague.

“Ireland and the Czech Republic share common values and commitments including membership of the EU, and of the UN. In the front entrance of Dáil Eireann, a bronze bust of renowned playwright Vaclav Havel, first President of the Czech Republic, was unveiled in June 2015. This was a significant and symbolic moment for Czech-Irish relations. After the United States of America, Ireland became only the second country in the world where a national legislative assembly decided to permanently honour the legacy of former President Havel.

“Our two countries are innovative and like-minded. We share a love of culture and our languages. Ireland is honoured that the Irish Studies Centre in Charles University teaches, researches and promotes Irish culture in European and global contexts with a focus on modern literature in English and Irish, theatre, film, the Irish language, music and theory. We would like to wish Ambassador Petr Kynštetr and all Czechs living in Ireland a Happy Independence Day. Šťastný den nezávislosti.”