THE honour of welcoming the Polish president to the Oireachtas this week was shared by Deputies Alan Shatter and Michael Ferris, the two chairmen of the joint committees on Foreign and European Affairs, who together heard President Kwasniewski's address.

Both spoke of the links between Ireland and Poland, with Mr Shatter referring to common historical experiences. Mr Ferris told the president that such links were exemplified by the fact that one of the Irish State's first ministers rejoiced in the name of Countess Markiewicz.