John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)

I am delighted to speak on this important issue. I have taken a deep interest in working to improve Ireland-US relations. For many years I have attended the annual Saint Patrick's Day celebrations in New York city. In the interests of transparency I add that my trips were not made at public expense. I congratulate Ambassador Rooney on his outstanding work since his appointment, also his chief of mission, Robert Faucher, and all the staff at the American Embassy. They play a critical role in the continuation of American investment, which as Deputy Crawford correctly indicated, is evident in the number of pharmaceutical and high-tech medical companies along the western seaboard that have invested heavily in this country. That investment is critical.

Emigration from the north west has been a sad feature of life in the region for many decades. We thought it had ended in the past decade, but now, thanks to Fianna Fáil incompetence, involuntary emigration is likely to resume on a significant scale once again.

I know and understand from meeting with Irish emigrants in the New York region and from meeting with successive generations of Irish Americans that the celebration and honouring of Irish culture and tradition is important to them. Keeping up economic, tourism, social, political, educational and personal links between our two countries in an important activity that I fully support. The Irish diaspora consists of 54 million people and that offers huge potential. Many links have been established, such as in the educational sector. Prior to that we had the INTERREG programme, cross-Border funding for community development and activities in the Six Counties and the six southern Border counties. I congratulate INTERREG on its sense of vision and determination and for the regeneration that is evident in many of the community developments in the six southern Border counties, which has benefitted every county. Many excellent organisations are working in the education sector to provide young Irish and US citizens with the opportunity to follow academic studies and to gain practical work experience. Among these many fine organisations I would like to compliment the Washington Ireland Program, in particular. This organisation works to provide six-month programmes for personal and professional development. It brings outstanding Protestant and Catholic university students from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland to Washington for summer internships and leadership training. The programme begins and ends with practical service in Northern Ireland and Ireland. I have met a number of them. They worked on Capitol Hill and they have played a critical role in the past ten years.

I would like to add to the sentiments expressed by other contributors regarding the importance of giving full and generous recognition to the work of George Mitchell in helping to bring peace to the country. George Mitchell did outstanding work and made a massive contribution to the peace process. I fully support the notion that an appropriate way to recognise and honour his contribution to the peace process is by way of a scholarship programme for US students to carry out postgraduate study and research in Irish universities. President Obama appointed George Mitchell as special envoy to the Middle East and I wish him well in that challenging role.

It as important that this scholarship program be adequately funded. The primary purpose of the Bill is to make provision for a new allocation of funds of up to €20 million, with no more than €4 million to be provided in any one year. This new funding requirement is designed to replenish the original allocation from some years ago. Without going into how this has arisen, it is clear that the investment policy to be followed in respect of this new funding must be prudent, with emphasis on protecting the value of the capital sums being invested. Given this new taxpayer money will reinvigorate the program, it is necessary that the Government has much tighter control on the investment options used in future in order that the endowment amounts continue to be available to fund scholarships.

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