President Michael Higgins addressed a formal sitting of the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
In his speech, the President spoke of the importance of accountability in democracies and called for new economic models to ensure we can successfully overcome the crisis. The President also spoke of the need for new ideas and the importance of challenging established thinking on the economy.
"Europe is a legacy that cannot be taken for granted. Our citizens yearn for the language of solidarity, a commitment to cohesion, for inclusive rhetoric that is appropriate for an evolving political union."
You can read the President's speech here, or listen to the speech by clicking on the link below.