Quidnunc is indebted to fellow columnist "Entre Nous" in the Economist's Brussels publication European Voice for the text of EU President Jacques Santer's message of congratulations to the President, Mrs McAleese, on her elevation: "I am convinced," wrote Santer, "that under your Presidency, the action of Ireland will continue to be determinant for the edification of an always more inter-dependent Europe, space of peace, prosperity and co-operation."
Must be Euro-speak for bridgebuilding.