Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)

In these turbulent times in the House, it is good to have something positive to support and Fine Gael is fully behind this initiative.

The US-Ireland Alliance established this programme some time ago. I note the presence today of Trina Vargo in the Gallery and acknowledge her contribution to this programme. She played a significant role in the run up to the Good Friday Agreement and served with Senator Ted Kennedy for some time as foreign policy adviser.

The purpose of the alliance is to generate a new generation of Americans and to develop a new relationship with Ireland that is pro-business and into arts and culture that will take advantage of the goodwill in the USA towards Ireland. It works well to do that. If we look at the effects of the Rhodes scholarship between Britain and the US, and the fact that President Bill Clinton benefited from that scheme, along with others in his Administration, we will recognise the significance of this scholarship for Ireland. I have been in contact with people involved in both business and education in America going back to the 1970s and 1980s and I can see considerable potential for furthering this relationship, especially through academic means.

The tenth cohort of Mitchell scholars are currently studying in Ireland. As Deputy Hayes pointed out, the best and brightest young Americans, the future leaders in business, politics and law, are coming to this country, something we must welcome. Hundreds of American universities have been introduced and exposed to our level of education. Often those who have not been successful in obtaining a scholarship have come anyway and paid their own way. A number of successful applicants have completed PhDs here as well.

This money is long overdue, because it was some time before the Government contributed towards this fund. It will be mostly spent in Ireland, in our universities and hotels and on buses and will be spread across the country. The Mitchell scholars this year will attend Listowel writers' week, a demonstration of how we all benefit from this scheme.

Senator George Mitchell always supported this scheme and I am proud that it was former Taoiseach, John Bruton who encouraged the Senator to chair the talks in Northern Ireland. That was a significant step on the part of the Government of the day, of which Deputy Quinn was a member. Fine Gael is extremely supportive of Senator George Mitchell and the Bill before the House.

In the future, our relationship with the USA must be based on partnership and must centre on the areas of education, the arts and business. I am extremely impressed by the work of the US-Ireland Alliance, which has been to the fore in the context of redefining the special relationship between Ireland and the US. I applaud its efforts in that regard. I urge the US-Ireland Alliance to continue what it is doing but also to expand its efforts as a result of the increased funding with which it will be provided. When graduates who benefited from the George Mitchell scholarship fund begin to become involved in business, at various levels, throughout America, I am sure new sources of funding will become available to the US-Ireland Alliance.

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