The Ceann Comhairle, Mr Seamus Pattison, in his welcoming address to the British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, in the Joint Houses of the Oireachtas said it was a significant step forward in the history of the Parliament and in the history of this island.
"A Phriomh-Aire Uasail Blair, is mor an onoir domsa mar Ceann Comhairle Dail Eireann failte Ui Cheallaigh a chur romhat ar an ocaid stairiuil agus fior-speisialta seo.
"Prime Minister Blair, it is my great privilege as Ceann Comh airle to extend to you on my own behalf and on behalf of all the members of Dail Eireann and Seanad Eireann a most warm and sincere Irish welcome.
"Your acceptance of our invitation to come here and to address this joint sitting of both Houses of the Oireachtas bestows a great honour on all of us.
"Today is a significant step forward in the history of this parliament and indeed in the history of this island. "Prime Minister, your very presence here today symbolises the ever-maturing nature and indeed the coming of age of the relationship between our two countries.
"Down through the years, I doubt very much if any member of either House envisaged a day when a British prime minister would be present among us and addressing both Houses of the Irish Parliament.
"You are welcome, Prime Minister, in more ways than one. Normally at this time I would be taking the Order of Business with many points of order ringing in my ears, with members jumping up to catch my eye - clearly your presence has has a calming effect on members, which I have not noticed when you are in the House of Commons.
"The history shared between our two respective countries may have been troubled in the past but history has also left its mark in many positive ways. Our system of public administration owes much of its origin to the British system and nowhere is that more evident today than here in our Parliament.
"Ireland has a very strong tradition of parliamentary democracy which owes so much not alone to the founding fathers of this State but also to the basic bedrock of British parliamentary tradition. You know, Prime Minister, we have taken the best but not all of your system. We have proportional representation but we do not have hereditary membership, much to the regret of some members.
"Our people have always shared a unique relationship which is evident in so many ways such as through the thriving Irish community which has found a home-from-home in your country and is also to be found in the wider partnership we share as members of the European Union.
"One of your distinguished predecessors, the great statesman, Gladstone, in 1877 paid a private visit when out of office to this building long before it became our Parliament.
"It was Gladstone as prime minister who bravely adopted the cause of Home Rule for Ireland at a time of prevailing imperial convictions and attitudes. As he wound up his speech to the Commons before the vote on the first Home Rule Bill in 1886, he reflected and, I quote: `This is one of the golden moments of our history - one of those opportunities which may come and may go, but which rarely return or, if they return, return at long intervals, and under circumstances which no man can forecast.' Unquote.
"That aspiration has a particular meaning for us today.
"The Good Friday Agreement was the culmination of almost two years of negotiation. But in a wider sense, it was the produce of over two decades of close partnership between the two governments, working together to forge a lasting and peaceful settlement in Northern Ireland.
"The occasion of your address is indeed a noble salute to that momentous achievement - which both you and your predecessor, the Taoiseach, his predecessors and party leaders, including former party leaders, present in this chamber played such a crucial role, and not forgetting of course the contribution of President Clinton and Senator Mitchell and the parties in Northern Ireland, without whose commitment, determination and vision, there would have been no agreement. The British-Irish Parliamentary Body also played its part.
"In particular, you can be rightly proud of your own personal contribution to the success of this agreement. Your leadership, Prime Minister, especially in the final week of the agreement's negotiations, was greatly appreciated by all, not least those in this House.
"We know that you are continuing to show the same vision and determination as we all work to implement the agreement in its entirety. "The overwhelming democratic endorsement of the agreement demonstrates the clear desire of the people of this island for change to a better and brighter future.
"Seamus Heaney wrote: `Once in a lifetime/The longed for tidal wave/Of Justice can rise up and hope and history rhyme.'
"Prime Minister, by your contribution to peace on this island, hope and history do indeed rhyme as the dark days are hopefully forever in the past and a new dawn of peace and reconciliation beckons forth, as we go, in the poignant words of Omagh victim, young Sean McLaughlin, `across the bridge of hope'.
"Prime Minister, it is with these heartfelt sentiments I now invite you to address the Joint Sitting of Dail Eireann and Seanad Eireann."
The Cathaoirleach of the Seanad, Senator Brian Mullooly, gave the speech of thanks to the British Prime Minister, Mr Blair.
"Mr Prime Minister, this truly is a memorable day in the development of relations between our two countries. Today, we meet at a level of goodwill and generosity of spirit that few of us could have foreseen. We are sharing and celebrating defining moments that will be much analysed and pondered upon.
"The very institution of parliament is a formal and proven testament to the need we have to dialogue in order to govern ourselves in truth and justice. And the parliamentary process itself facilitates us, indeed invites us, to come to respect and honour our differences not only within the Chambers of Parliament but in the broader reality of our lives.
"Over recent decades, visiting heads of state have addressed joint sessions of the Houses of the Oireachtas in this chamber. Each occasion was memorable but, Mr Prime Minister, there is a sense in which your presence among us is more celebration than symbol and protocol. We look forward with hope, indeed confidence, to the future.
"Mr Prime Minister, in leaving us today, be assured that you carry with you our goodwill and best wishes."