P J Sheehan (Cork South West, Fine Gael)

What about the Swansea ferry? There was no mention of that.

Deputy Brian Lenihan:

CONCLUSION

I want to recall the death earlier this year of Senator Ted Kennedy. Senator Kennedy was unquestionably one of the best friends Ireland ever had on Capitol Hill. Today, in a modest way I would like to honour the memory of a great man from a great family. The Government will provide funding for a project at the Kennedy Homestead in Dunganstown, County Wexford, from which his forefathers emigrated in the early 19th century. The development of this important visitor attraction will be a welcome boost to tourism in the south east.

The inauguration of John F Kennedy as President of the United States in 1961 gave a powerful sense of hope, possibility and self-belief to Irish people all over the world. A recent survey commissioned by The Irish Times found that 84% of those surveyed think Ireland needs to start believing in itself again.

See this speech in context