Joe O'Reilly (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I welcome Ms O'Connell and Mr. Redmond. I will not repeat my colleagues' comments but I wish to ask a question that logically follows on from them. I recently came across the Blue Star programme in a primary school and I am very impressed by it. Along with the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Creighton, and the then Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council, Councillor Sean McKiernan, I visited East Knockbride national school near Bailieborough when it was being awarded the Blue Star. We met the pupils and learned about the various projects they had pursued. All of them had studied European languages. The awareness throughout the school of European geography, history, language and culture was impressive. They learned the traditional folk costumes and clothes of the various parts of Europe. I am a primary teacher by background, and it was one of the most impressive things I have ever witnessed.

The Blue Star programme is clearly an effective means of developing an awareness of Europe and European identity. I would be happy for any of my three children to take the programme. What is the level of take up and are there plans to develop it further? It has enormous potential for expanding beyond schools to reach the families and communities of the students concerned. What is the movement doing at third level? That is also a critical area.