Hannigan Welcomes EU Logo

I welcome the launch of Ireland's new logo for our Presidency of the EU in 2013. The logo represents the unique energy that Ireland will bring to the six month Presidency.

The Presidency gives Ireland a huge opportunity to showcase the positives of our country. The thousands of visitors that will be coming to Ireland as part of the 6 month Presidency will be able see the drive, motivation and innovation that is at the centre of our economy.

Work has already begun to prepare the programme of events so that we can get the maximum benefit for the country well after we have handed the role to one of our EU partners.

We have to show all that Ireland has to offer for an international audience including our Tourism industry.

It is important that we include our tourism bodies in the preparations of the programme so that visitors will see all that we have to offer as a holiday destination. We have a wealth of beautiful sites to experience including the World Heritage Site at Newgrange that would encourage people to come back again and again to visit our country.

When the delegates and visitors leave we want them to be telling their friends and families to come to Ireland to see the beauty of the country for themselves.

The presidency is another opportunity to continue the work that the Government has started on rebuilding the international reputation of our country and to show that Ireland is open for business.

The logo was chosen after 4 designs were offered for the public to choose. Over 14,000 people took part in an online poll from the 30th of November to the 31st December 2011.