Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this Bill. I have inquired more times than any other Deputy into when it would be brought before the House. It pays tribute to an important person, George Mitchell, and all that he did for this country.

I am in a unique position in that my brother went in the other direction in the 1960s to study in Ohio and Pittsburgh. He was in America when the late John F. Kennedy was elected President and, sadly, when he was assassinated. That era helped to cement a new bond between the Irish, Irish-Americans and Americans in general. It was an extraordinary time for a young Irish student to travel the length and breadth of the United States. My brother stayed in family homes and hitch-hiked because he did not have any money but he had a wonderful time nonetheless. Thanks to him I understand better than most how this programme can and will benefit its participants. It will form the basis of friendships they will never forget.

I commend the more than 100 students who have already graduated from the programme and join other speakers in welcoming Ms Trina Vargo. It is sad that the late US Senator Ted Kennedy did not live long enough to see the Bill being debated in this House. He gave a massive commitment to this country and its emigrants in their time of difficulty.

I would like to see the number of programme participants increased beyond 12 annually because the more ambassadors we send from this country, the better. If these young people become involved in politics, they will offer a significant advantage for the Irish nation. I completely understand why Deputy Morgan raised the issues of support schemes, buildings and the lack of funding but this is above those issues. I live in a Border area and I remember when it was not safe to travel through Northern Ireland. On many occasions when I was there I wondered whether I was wise. I used to travel regularly to Donegal. I went to Donegal the other night and I felt absolutely safe going home. That is something we must attribute to the likes of Ted Kennedy.

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