I Am Delighted To Be Back Home

Through The Inspiration Of Vaclav's Words, The Courage Of His Dissidence And The Integrity Of His Leadership, Czechoslovakia Successfully Transitioned From An Authoritarian State To A Free Democracy At The Heart Of Europe.

I Want To Say A Very Sincere Thank You For This Welcome Home - It Is A Wonderful Welcome Home. It Is The Place To Where I Return And Where I Will Always Return Because It Is Of Galway That I Am.

The Mandate I Have Received And For Which I Will Speak With Heart And Head To Implement Over The Next Seven Years Had Its Four Pillars - An Inclusive Citizenship, Equality And Participation And Respect In A Creative Society Creating An Excellence In Everything We Irish Do.

The Presidency Is An Independent Office And The Irish People Whom I Appreciate So Much And I Take With Such Responsibility Have Given A Very Clear Mandate On A Very Clear Set Of Ideas To Me, As The Ninth President.

I Am Delighted To Be Back Home In Galway, The Place I First Came To As A 19-year-old In 1960. It's Here Where My Heart Is And Will Forever Be.