I welcome to the Distinguished Visitors Gallery the ambassador from Portugal, H.E. Bernardo Lucena. He is most welcome to Seanad Éireann today on the occasion of the national day of Portugal. I thank him for taking a break from his celebrations to come and visit Seanad Éireann. I know he will not be able to stay with us for long as the celebrations continue, as they should, on this national day on which one of the great heroes and poets of Portugal is being celebrated. Luís de Camões wrote the epic poem, "Os Lusíadas", which highlights the voyages of discovery in the 15th and 16th centuries for which Portugal is so rightly famous. Luís de Camões died on this day in 1580. Today, we celebrate his anniversary, his life and his great contribution to Portuguese culture and national life.

Not only is Portugal's national day celebrated in Portugal and Ireland, it is also celebrated wherever Portuguese communities gather around the world. Such communities are to be found in many different countries and on all continents. We look forward to working with Portugal during our Presidency of the European Union. On this, the national day of Portugal, Feliz Dia de Camões . I thank the ambassador for being with us.