Mary McAleese said that ‘faced with Brexit’ we are “ reminded of the sheer miracle that brought France and Germany out of enmity and into partnership” after the second World War. The former Irish president gave a resounding endorsement to the European ideal after she was bestowed with one of France’s highest honours on Monday night. Ms McAleese received the Dignité de Grande Officier de l’Ordre National du Mérite at the French Ambassador’s residence in Dublin. Expressing her gratitute to French president Emmanuel Macron “for this special honour” which she “deeply” appreciates, she spoke of “the web of history” uniting Ireland and France. Then taoiseach John A Costello responded that “all statesmen of today might well turn their thoughts to St Columban and his teaching.

Source: The Irish Times February 04, 2019 21:16 UTC