Gerard P. Craughwell praises public servants as EU presidency begins
Gerard P. Craughwell offered brief remarks at the start of Ireland's EU presidency, congratulating the Leader and paying tribute to public servants seconded to support the presidency. He praised the professionalism of the civil service and wished those working on the presidency well.
Opening remarks: He began by apologising for not formally congratulating the Leader on his elevation and made a light reference to bonfires in Tipperary as a local touch. The speaker frames his short address as a personal note at the start of the presidency.
Support for public servants: Craughwell highlighted the many public servants seconded from different departments to facilitate the EU presidency. He emphasised how the public service has 'stepped up to the plate' and is showing Ireland at its best during this busy period.
Good wishes for the presidency: He concluded by wishing the state, the government and those at the coalface every success, acknowledging the long hours and hard work ahead and expressing the hope that everything will go as planned.
Opening remarks: He began by apologising for not formally congratulating the Leader on his elevation and made a light reference to bonfires in Tipperary as a local touch. The speaker frames his short address as a personal note at the start of the presidency.
Support for public servants: Craughwell highlighted the many public servants seconded from different departments to facilitate the EU presidency. He emphasised how the public service has 'stepped up to the plate' and is showing Ireland at its best during this busy period.
Good wishes for the presidency: He concluded by wishing the state, the government and those at the coalface every success, acknowledging the long hours and hard work ahead and expressing the hope that everything will go as planned.
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Transcript
Go raibh maith agat, Cathaoirleach. Leader, I omitted to formally congratulate you yesterday on your elevation. I assume there'll be bonfires all over Tipperary as you arrive home this weekend. So please forgive me for not officially congratulating you on your elevation. I just want to say a few words at the start of the presidency of the EU. My thoughts are with the public servants who have been seconded from all departments all over the place to facilitate the presidency of the Union. And sometimes we give the various departments a bit of a lick in every now and then over various things that bother us. But it is amazing how the public service can step up to the plate at a time like this and show Ireland at its very best. And I really do wish the state, the government, but most of all those who will be at the coalface working day and night to show this country in its best light. I just want to wish them well and hope that everything goes as planned. Thank you.