Dáil debates

Tuesday, 4 December 2012

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed)

Diplomatic Representation

4:30 pm

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Keating. I spoke to President Obama to congratulate him on his re-election and the start of a second term in office. I expressed the wish that, during the course of his term, he would have the opportunity to visit Ireland again formally with Michelle, his wife, and his delegation. It was not the time to say that I was formally inviting him, but I did say that I hoped he could come back to Ireland.

The President has said on a number of occasions that his visit last year had an extraordinary impact on him and was one of the most exciting days of his presidency. In its own small way following that, the Irish community across the United States seemed to have borne this in mind in terms of their support as well.

I recall how, while I was a young lad, President Kennedy came here in 1963 and spoke from this spot. At that time, he quoted poetry: "to come back and see old Shannon's face again." That opportunity did not present itself for him. I wrote to his daughter just last week about the celebrations that will take place in Wexford, to which I have committed my involvement. A number of the Kennedy family are travelling for that.

When I had the opportunity to speak at the Kennedy centre in Boston, I said that perhaps we should look at doing something next year, but in a forward thinking and forward looking way, on the 50th anniversary of the President's anniversary to Ireland, which was the last before the great tragedy of his assassination.

Deputy Keating is quite right. It is an opportunity for us to promote the country fairly strongly in terms of The Gathering. There is a big effort going in there at the moment. I hope that it will pay the dividend that I have heard about.

When the protocol of the visit becomes a little more clear and when the President's schedule becomes known, we can reflect on that suggestion. I hope that, during his Administration, he will have the opportunity to come back to Ireland, spend a little longer here this time and, if he could arrange the opportunity, address both Houses. Let me confirm to Deputy Keating that we are working with the American Administration and the Kennedy centre in Boston to do something in June or July of next year in the Kennedy centre with the theme of looking forward for the future as to the significance of that visit and how one might build on the platforms that are there to create a better world for everybody.

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