I welcome to the Distinguished Visitors Gallery our friend and colleague from the Republic of Italy as we mark its national day, the ambassador, H.E. Nicola Faganello, a name that sounds kind of like Fagan, and the special envoy from the ministry of foreign affairs, Andrea Silvestri, and the deputy head of mission and first secretary, Dr. Edoardo Berionni Berna. My pronunciation was close, or maybe a valiant attempt.

I welcome them here to mark Italy's upcoming national day. We in the Seanad are very grateful for the support of our colleagues in the European Union. We in the Seanad take a deep interest in the issues of the European Union. Italian Republic Day celebrates the establishment of the republic in Italy in 1946.

The Italians, like the Irish, made a deep impact wherever they went around the world - needless to say, in the United States more than anywhere else. Irish monks led by St. Columbanus founded a monastery near Genoa in the seventh century. There is a strong Italian-Irish community here, dating back to the late 19th century and early 20th century. Obviously, it was made famous by its addition of fish and chips to our culinary efforts.

Approximately 11,000 Italians live in Ireland, working in the hospitality and technology sectors and in financial services. We also remember that Italy recently celebrated the 700th anniversary of the death of the father of the Italian language, Dante, one of the giants of literature with his famous Divine Comedy . For Italy's great friendship to Ireland throughout the centuries, we wish the ambassador a happy Republic Day. I thank him for being with us here today. Go raibh maith agat.