Irish Parliamentarian Arrives in The Gambia

Chris Andrews (TD) a member of the Irish parliament arrived in the country last Friday for a two-week working visit.

Speaking in an interview with this reporter, at The Point office's yesterday, the Irish law marker outlined his mission in the country. Chris a representative of the Dublin South East constituency is on his first visit to Africa. He said that he came to The Gambia with the help of Voluntary Serves Overseas' (VSO) Irish office.

Mr. Andrews, is also a member of finance and employment committees of the Irish parliament and during his visit, will meet with the National Assembly Committee on Health and disability organisations. " I hope it will raised awareness to improve the standard of people living with disabilities and their skills. To encourage them to keep up the good work," he said. He added that the visit is also aimed at creating awareness on VSO's activities in Ireland and its partner countries including The Gambia. During the few days he has spent in the country, Deputy Andrews said that he observed that Gambians are very pleasant and helpful. "In many ways Ireland and The Gambia have a lot in common, both were colonised by United Kingdom and are both small in size".

Mr. Andrews comes from a family who are very active in Irish politics. Some of his family members have served as national assembly members (TD's), foreign minister and one of them served as a member of the European parliament.