Deirdre Clune (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Mr. Clune and Mr. McLoughlin. My comments are similar to those of Deputy Collins. Well done to ConnectIreland. It is a great idea. The fact that ConnectIreland developed it at the forum was also great. Rather than simply put a hand up and throw out an idea, the witnesses followed through. That is important because often these fora can produce great ideas but it is left to the initiators to carry them out. Well done to them.

I particularly like the idea of using networking through the GAA, taxis, hotels and caddies. These areas are under the radar and would not be on the desk of IDA Ireland. ConnectIreland is doing the work in conjunction with IDA Ireland. It is a simple idea but one that has proven to be very effective among others. I congratulate ConnectIreland.

I hope that by appearing today Mr. Clune and Mr. McLoughlin will trigger us to spread the word. This Christmas I have one member of my family coming home from the United States and another from the United Kingdom. Christmas time is probably an opportunity to get the message out. The Irish communities tend to communicate well when they are abroad. I hope that by being here today ConnectIreland will give it another kick-start. I imagine the challenge is to get the word and the message out. We would be pleased to do whatever we can to help.