Derek Keating (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Taoiseach, particularly for dealing with the part of my parliamentary question that asked the Government to invite President Obama for a formal state visit next June. While I was framing the question, I recalled that I was eight years of age when President Kennedy visited Dáil Éireann. If my sums are correct, the Taoiseach was 12 years of age. What I recalled in particular was that, in the decades since, Irish people still hold that wonderful occasion close to their hearts. This is a mark of the respect, friendship and closeness between the Irish and American peoples.

As the Taoiseach alluded, Prime Minister Cameron's recent announcement that the G8 Summit will be held on the island of Ireland will provide us with an opportunity next year. Given The Gathering and the fact that we will hold the Presidency of the European Union, we are presented with a wonderful opportunity to promote Ireland and its people as a nation with further potential in terms of tourism, and to enhance the Irish economy. The eyes of the world will be on us. For this reason, it is important that we avail of the opportunity and extend President Obama an invitation to visit Ireland. Recently, I visited a school-----

See this speech in context