On the 10th April this year, I had the honour of meeting the President of the European Council Donald Tusk. The chance to greet this pinnacle of European democracy occurred after his speech to the UCD Law Society. Mr Tusk, who was Poland’s longest serving Prime Minister, was in the University to receive a lifetime membership of the society. This is an honour which was bestowed on many people before him including Judge Judy Sheindlin and Former Tanaiste Frances Fitzgerald.
The President delivered an outstanding and witty speech where he won over fans with his knowledge about Ireland. Mr Tusk spoke about personalities like Sinead O’Connor and Conor McGregor. The assembled audience were amazed when he described how Brexit makes him “furious”. Mr Tusk said what everybody else in the room was thinking. I’ll never forget waking up in the early hours of the 24th June 2016 feeling angry myself. Brexit will be the defining moment of our generation and I admire Donald Tusks’ determination and commitment to continue the stability of the Union.
Following his speech, I was honoured to speak to the President before he sat back into his car. Mr Tusk took time to talk about my College course and I thanked him for his work in Europe. It is a conversation that I will always remember and gave me great momentum as I faced into the exam period. Following this, the sirens blazed and the cavalcade departed as the President of the European Council left UCD after a thought provoking evening. Donald Tusk is somebody to watch as Britain makes its final preparations before exiting the European Union in March 2019. The manoeuvres of Mr Tusk along with those of Jean-Claude Juncker and Michel Barnier will decide the fate of the bloc forever.
By Cian Byrne.