:00:40. > :01:04.SPEAKS IN GAELIC. On behalf of myself I wish to welcome the both
:01:05. > :01:08.houses to Michel Barnier, who is the chief negotiator of the task force
:01:09. > :01:14.for the preparation and conduct for conduct of negotiations with the
:01:15. > :01:15.yiepg. United Kingdom. I invite Mr Barnier to take his seat in the
:01:16. > :02:12.chamber. SPEAKS IN FRENCH. The decision by
:02:13. > :02:17.the United Kingdom last year to withdraw from the European Union
:02:18. > :02:22.will have a profound effect on Europe and on its citizens. But it
:02:23. > :02:27.also raises specific and important issues that are unique to Ireland.
:02:28. > :02:32.For instance, concerns have been raised about its impact on Northern
:02:33. > :02:35.Ireland and the peace process. As well as its impact on the common
:02:36. > :02:44.travel area between Ireland and the United Kingdom. Since the formal
:02:45. > :02:47.notify xags -- notification of the UK's intention to withdraw,
:02:48. > :02:52.preparations for the start of negotiations have intensified. As
:02:53. > :02:56.members will be aware. The European council agreed guidelines for the
:02:57. > :03:03.first phase of negotiations on 29th April this year and last week the
:03:04. > :03:06.European Commission published its draft negotiating directives. Our
:03:07. > :03:11.exchange of views therefore is timely and we hope that it will
:03:12. > :03:17.contribute to the preparations for the negotiations. Let me also say
:03:18. > :03:21.that I firmly believe that today's sitting demonstrates how national
:03:22. > :03:25.Parliaments can contribute effectively to public debate on
:03:26. > :03:32.matters of concern to the union. Which of course is one of principles
:03:33. > :03:37.of article 12 of the treaty. We are conscious of the very challenging
:03:38. > :03:43.road ahead. We wish you and your task force well in your work and it
:03:44. > :03:47.is our hope that an agreement can be reached which protects the
:03:48. > :03:52.principles of the union and the interests of the member states,
:03:53. > :03:56.whilst maintaining a strong relationship with the United
:03:57. > :03:58.Kingdom. And with those few thoughts, may I invite you to
:03:59. > :04:25.address our sitting? Dear speakers, thank you very much
:04:26. > :04:34.Mr Speaker for your kind words and congratulations for your perfect
:04:35. > :04:44.French! Dear speakers, Taoiseach, members of the Houses, I'm very
:04:45. > :04:49.happy and honoured to address both Houses and to greet you as
:04:50. > :04:55.representative of the people of Ireland in all your political
:04:56. > :05:02.diversity. I take this honour as a responsibility. The responsibility
:05:03. > :05:08.to listen to all those who will be affected by the decision of UK to
:05:09. > :05:15.leave the European Union. The responsibility to listen to your
:05:16. > :05:17.concerns, build our positions together, negotiate in our common
:05:18. > :05:19.interest.