An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business
Seanad Éireann — 2026-04-16
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Mary Fitzpatrick (FF), Industrial and Commercial Panel

As convener of the Irish-Hungarian Parliamentary Friendship Group I congratulate the Hungarian people on their recent democratic election. It is really heartening to see democracy in action in the way we did in Hungary last weekend. I congratulate Péter Magyar - and apologise if I have mispronounced his name - the Tisza Party, but most importantly the Hungarian people. I thank the outgoing Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and his Administration and all those who served under him for a peaceful transition. It is really important to not just gloss over what is transpiring. It is an end of 16 years of Viktor Orbán's leadership in Hungary and the beginning of a new leadership. I wish the new leader well. I wish the Hungarian people well. I look forward to convening the Irish-Hungarian Parliamentary Friendship Group and invite all Members to join if they wish. I also look forward to really constructive contributions from the new Hungarian Government in our European Union. I hope it will work with other member states to make our Union stronger, freer and more democratic for all.
I want to give a huge shout-out to everybody who has been involved in the Five Lamps Arts Festival in Dublin city. It is just such a fantastic festival. It has all sorts of creative events and the talent on show includes everything from the spoken word to poetry, artists, drama, music - you name it. It is all taking place in Dublin city. It will conclude on 19 April so there are still a few days to go. I encourage everybody to support all the artists, creators and producers who have come together and entertained, illuminated and animated the city over the last few days. Well done to all involved.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-04-16/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:49+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-04-16