Thomas Byrne: Irish Presidency Opens - Language & Unity
Thomas Byrne closes the opening ceremony for Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union, using Irish to underline culture and unity. He sets out the presidency's guiding spirit and signals that the work now begins for Ireland and its partners.
Opening remarks: Thomas Byrne draws the official opening ceremony to a close and stresses that the real work of the Irish Presidency starts now. He frames the day as the start of a six-month period of responsibility for Ireland within the Council of the European Union.
Language and culture: Byrne deliberately used Irish, Ireland's first official language and a full EU language, to highlight the place of Irish culture in Europe. He thanks Irish speakers and the emcee, Carrie Crowley, for showcasing the nation's cultural richness to a continental audience.
Youth and engagement: The minister acknowledged young people in attendance and underlined the presidency's gratitude for support for future generations. He emphasised that youth engagement is integral to Ireland's role in Europe and to the long-term future of the country.
Presidency values and cooperation: Byrne announced the guiding spirit for the presidency as Ní Neart go Curle céile - strength in togetherness - and committed to working with fellow Member States and communities across the continent to deliver for the people of Europe.
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Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, I have the honour of drawing today's opening ceremony for the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union to a close, but it's now that the hard work begins. I will do so, if our guests don't mind, using our first official language in Ireland, Irish, a full and official language of the European Union. I would like to welcome the Irish speakers who have been a great help to us today. It's great to see all the hard work they have put into the culture of Ireland, both old and new. I would also like to welcome the Irish people who are with us today, and the many who are with us in the future. I would also like to welcome the young people who are with us today. Thank you very much, young people. Don't be afraid, it's a part of the European Union, and it's a part of the future of the country. It took six months to become a member of the European Union, and it took a long time to become a member of the European Parliament. It took six months to become a member of the European Parliament. We are proud and grateful for the great support you have given the young people and the future of Ireland and the European Union. Dear guests, the Irish Presidency will be guided by the spirit of Ní Neart go Curle céile, strength in togetherness. We will work with our fellow Member States, with communities across our country and our continent to deliver for the people of Europe. Today's opening ceremony showcased the richness of the Irish language and our culture to Europe and beyond. But it is, after all, a language and a culture that sits now with ease in Europe and the wider world. And who better than our emcee, Carrie Crowley, to prove that. Thank you, Carrie. Thank you.
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