Cecilia Keaveney (Fianna Fail)

I am very interested in contributing to this debate. I am more fascinated because of where I came from this morning, which was the British Irish Interparliamentary Assembly meeting in Cavan. The speakers there included the Governor of the Central Bank, the Taoiseach, Fachtna Murphy of the Garda Síochána, Matt Baggott of the PSNI and Declan Kelly, US special economic envoy to the North. It shows how central east-west North-South is and also the vital US influence. Today, I spoke to Declan Kelly about issues such as the future of education, opportunities for job creation in the education sector and the chance to have a university in the north-west region which would straddle the Border and create new opportunities for students where other campuses have reached capacity. This conversation was separate from the Bill before the House.

I have received e-mails which state how dare the Irish Government invest €20 million in this when we are so stuck for money in other areas. It is like arguing that money should not be invested in hospitals because the roads are bad. One can never do the right thing by some people. I believe that an investment fund which ensures the brightest and best of the US student cohort has an opportunity to come here can pay dividends. We cannot merely provide the fund, select students, have them come here and then let them disappear. I agree with Senator Healy Eames that there must be a fair level of follow-up to establish what they got out of it and what we can get out of it afterwards. Anybody investing in something wants to ensure their investment has a return. Sometimes that can sound very harsh when one is speaking about people but we have to evaluate it as we go along. I do not agree the endowment people would necessarily be looking for a bad investment. Anybody in the job of providing the best advice on investments will do their best. Doctors differ and patients die and unfortunately, in the economic climate we are in, economists are caught in the same way with their knowledge or lack of knowledge.

I commend the work of the US-Ireland Alliance which, in conjunction with the Irish Government, established the George Mitchell scholarship programme. The work done by the organisation is essential to strengthening existing relations between the United States and Ireland, both North and South, and continuing to sustain that relationship for the future. The US-Ireland Alliance founded the scholarship to educate future US leaders about the island of Ireland and to provide them with an understanding about, an interest in and, most importantly, an affinity with the island from which 38 million people in the United States claim descent. I was fascinated by the concept that in a strategic review so many people under the age of 18 stated they had a relationship with Ireland and I want to return to this point.

George Mitchell once stated:

Wherever you go in life, you'll be part of a society... Be active in that society. Do something in and with your life.

Senator Mitchell's words embody the nature of his character. Throughout his career he brought about great changes. He has taken significant actions throughout his career, which have made great changes to the island of Ireland. Having met him and having attended the George Mitchell conference in Belfast a couple of years ago where the guest speaker was Desmond Tutu, I can state he has the capacity to draw the best of people around him. He must also have the patience of a saint when one considers the number of negotiations he chaired through the very difficult days of the 1990s.

George Mitchell was active in the Northern Ireland peace process from 1995 as the United States special envoy for Northern Ireland. He first led a commission that established the principles on non-violence to which all parties in Northern Ireland had to adhere and subsequently chaired the all-party peace negotiations, which led to the signing of the Good Friday Agreement. George Mitchell's personal intervention with the parties was crucial to the success of the talks. What has been established is crucial to ensuring that we continue to have intervention at US Irish level. Senator Mitchell won admiration from across the political divide in the North for his work to boost the peace process. He received almost unanimous praise for his skill and patience in chairing the talks.

This Bill and the increased allocation of funding further emphasise the Government's appreciation for the key role Senator Mitchell played in the Northern Ireland peace process. The George Mitchell scholarship is designed to introduce and connect generations of future US leaders to the island of Ireland, while recognising and fostering intellectual achievement, leadership and a commitment to public service and community. The scholarship actively promotes the spirit of community between and among the scholars and the communities in which they live and study and between the scholars and the island of Ireland long after the programme had ended. I have also participated in some of the Harvard leadership programmes and even though it might be for only a week or ten days on a couple of occasions, studying somewhere else or engaging with another college and other professors and academics is very stimulating.

The programme endeavours to connect the next generation of US leadership with the island of Ireland. It allows students with both a high standard of academic achievement and a deep sense of civic pride to further their education and deepen their understanding of Ireland and the world. Senator Mitchell's life and career represent a profound commitment to public service and to community, integrity, leadership, justice and fairness. Those taking part in the scholarship programme embody all of those characteristics and have the potential to lead lives that see and bring about great change.

As other speakers mentioned, since its establishment 117 students have come to Ireland under the programme. Approximately 300 applications for the scholarship are made each year with 70 US universities being visited by representatives from the US-Ireland Alliance detailing what the scholarship and studying in Ireland can offer. The fact that 300 applicants apply for one of 12 scholarships each year clearly advocates the value and significance of the scholarship. The Mitchell scholarship has already established itself as one of the most selective fellowships available. What do we do to ensure the other 288 people pursue coming here anyway, without the facility of the scholarship? Have we assessed increasing the number of people participating?

As outlined by the Minister of State, Deputy Seán Haughey, in the Dáil last Thursday, from a strategic point of view this programme achieves significant economic and social outcomes. Sceptics will question that but people come here to study and experience the country. Scholarship students are encouraged to travel throughout the island of Ireland to gain knowledge and experience. Their family members often come to visit them, thereby bringing money to the Exchequer through their expenditure in hotels and restaurants. This money is particularly beneficial to rural areas, which welcome visits by tourists of every nationality.

Graduates of the programme are close friends of Ireland and build upon their positive experience to develop a strong affinity for our country and become advocates and agents for good relationships among future generations. The scholarship develops and preserves our links with the US. Many of those who participate on programmes go on to occupy positions of significant influence in business, politics and other areas. Creating links with these scholars will greatly benefit Ireland in the future.

In terms of the time spent in our universities and centres of higher education, Mitchell scholars add greatly to the day-to-day activity of classes and offer opportunities for exchanging new ideas and different ways of thinking. In addition to the direct financial benefits, these scholars bring great benefits to our knowledge economy and links with America. It is imperative that we work to sustain our strong relationship with America. The George Mitchell scholarship allows for the fruition and sustained growth of such a relationship. Scholars who complete the programme become ambassadors for this country.

I ask the Minister of State to consider the involvement of institutes of technology in the programme. As it stands, Mitchell scholars may study or conduct research at universities and institutes of higher learning in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, not including institutes of technology.

There are 13 institutes of technology in Ireland. The degrees they award are integrated with the highest levels of the National Qualification Authority of Ireland, which in turn is aligned to the Bologna framework. They are to the forefront in ensuring that Ireland's modern economy has the requisite array of leading edge skills demanded by our knowledge based industries. The institutes provide programmes that reflect current and emerging fields and promote self-management, critical analysis, decision making and entrepreneurship. For example, Letterkenny Institute of Technology has established incubation units for new businesses. They foster graduates who are ready to undertake responsibilities and challenges in business, industry, the professions, public services and society.

I asked Declan Kelly why he is so positive about the potential for American investment in the North, which is a competitive region with a skilled workforce. As someone who lives north of the North, it was my understanding that people tried to leave the North when they reached a certain age. They went to college anywhere but in the North and even those who stayed left for good once they received their qualifications. Mr. Kelly advised me that the statistics are changing because graduates are now staying at home. He was about to leave for a meeting in Queens University Belfast, at which his key message was going to be that the students of that university are the entrepreneurs of the future. He believed that if they moved elsewhere they would do a disservice to their own areas because now is the time to stay at home to drive the local economy. He estimated that 66,000 businesses in the North employ fewer than 20 employees. That indicates a strong entrepreneurial spirit. He also noted that creating a job in the North costs £20, compared to £320 somewhere else. It is important that we maintain our links with America because people like Declan Kelly and George Mitchell were sent from the highest levels of the American Government to drive the agenda and their success is our success. George Mitchell's efforts on the Good Friday Agreement have benefited all of us.

I remind those who would begrudge the money invested in the Mitchell scholarship fund that it is one part of a jigsaw. I agree with the idea of following through by learning what we are doing well. We should not simply clap ourselves on the back for this scholarship because we constantly have to seek better outcomes and modernise to meet the needs of our economy and international relations. I endorse the Bill and wish the students who come to engage with Ireland well.