Mr. Denis Staunton:

They could, although some of these languages require very lengthy and intensive training if possible.

To return to what Deputy Durkan said regarding the diaspora, he mentioned that many of these are very influential but, of course, we should not forget those who are not influential. We have a responsibility towards people who are not influential and who are connected with us. It is also the case that those who were not influential can be influential in the future. One of the occasions I remember that - it was most moving - was during one of the visits by Mrs. Mary McAleese to the US when she visited Butte, Montana, where many Irish people had gone to work in tin mines a century or more ago. These people sent money back to Ireland for many years. After the Second World War the tin mines closed and in the past few decades the place has become quite impoverished. She arrived at a town that was defeated and demoralised. Her presence there, even though the people were not terribly influential, was so effective, so powerful, and so welcome and made me feel very happy and proud as an Irishman.