Speech by Count Gerald O'Kelly de Gallagh to the President of France¹
(Copy)

Mr. President,

His Majesty the King having been pleased, on the advice of His Government in the Irish Free State, to accredit me as Minister Plenipotentiary and Envoy Extraordinary to Your Excellency, I have the honour to deliver to Your Excellency His Majesty's letter of credence.

I am deeply sensible of the honour of being the first Irish Minister to a country which has always held such a high place in the affections of the Irish people. The links between our two nations throughout history have been close and constant. Through all vicissitudes of fortune, the Irish people have regarded France - both the France of the ancien régime and the France of the Revolution - as their friend and well-wisher. Memories of the generous sympathy ever extended to the cause of Ireland, of the generous hospitality invariably shown to our exiled leaders, and on the other hand of the service of thousands of Irishmen in the armies of France, guarantee the permanence of cordial relations and deep spiritual sympathy between us. In conveying to Your Excellency, therefore, the best wishes of my Government for the prosperity of France, I know that I am interpreting the sentiments of the whole Irish people.

It will be my earnest endeavour to consolidate, and if possible to improve, the excellent relations existing between this country, for which I have a sincere affection founded on long personal associations, and my own. In this agreeable task I feel sure that I shall have the good-will and assistance of Your Excellency and of the Government of the Republic.

It is, further, the hope of my Government that the establishment of full diplomatic relations between France and Ireland will tend to maintain and develop the ties of friendship between France and all the nations of the British Commonwealth.