EU chief a big-hearted man
IT WAS with slow and painstaking steps that Jean-Claude Juncker made his way down to the Dáil chamber to give his address. “I have some difficulty to walk,” he subsequently explained. “I have sciatica. I’m not drunk...I’d prefer to be drunk.”
Some hours later, at the Royal College of Surgeons, he thanked the National University of Ireland for bestowing upon him an honorary doctorate of laws, saying: “Thank you for the great honour I was the victim of today.”
Slightly before that, he had thanked Professor Patrick O’Shea, the pro-vicechancellor and president of University College Cork, for his tribute.
“He didn’t wait for my passing away, but it was as if,” he quipped.
You wouldn’t quite get President Juncker’s dry-as-abone-witticisms to fit on a mug, but the T-shirts would sell like hot Luxembourg potato fritters.
In the gallery sat Michel Barnier, the Brexit negotiator, and EU Commissioner Phil Hogan watching intently.
For Brexiteers watching from afar, his visit to Dublin must surely have struck a sour note, with the hammering home of the position that ‘Ireland will come first’.
An unfortunate phrase, perhaps, given the right-wing nationalist connotations that had led to this very situation in the first place.
Nevertheless, there was a degree of comfort in Mr Juncker’s firm words.
“There are those that think the other 26 countries will abandon Ireland for a deal that suits them,” he said.
“Ireland’s Border is Europe’s border and it is our priority.”
There had been precious few smiles when Mr Juncker landed up at Government Buildings to be met by the Taoiseach for photographs followed by a press conference.
Two questions had been permitted for the Irish press and two for the international.
One journalist inquired whether he considered Theresa May to be a trustworthy negotiator.
“Yes,” said Mr Juncker, simply. Not much to go on there, then. There was an awkward pause.
“I do too just in case there is any doubt about that,” said Leo, easing the way with a little laugh.
At the historic joint sitting of both houses of the Oireachtas, Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl gave an admirable opening in French, Irish and English.
He then proceeded to lay the flattery on thick, reminding Mr Juncker how he been dubbed the ‘Hero of Dublin’ in 1996 after mediating an EU dispute between then French president Jacques Chirac and German chancellor Helmut Kohl.
“Those mediation skills and an ability to reach consensus will be much needed in the days, weeks and months ahead,” said the Ceann Comhairle.
Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked if negotiations fail with the Tory government, whether the EU can be trusted. “Can we trust you?” he asked.
“Yes,” barked Mr Juncker, much as he had done earlier, this time prompting a great outburst of laughter.
“We’ll see,” quipped Richard.
The brusque facade faded at the Royal College of Surgeons, however, when Mr Juncker began to pay tribute to ‘dear Peter Sutherland’, whom he said he “missed greatly”. His voice faltered and shook. He took a moment to compose himself.
The British might have their doubts – but Mr Juncker has a heart, it is clear.