Mary White (Fianna Fail)

On Monday, 28, it will be 48 years since John F. Kennedy addressed the Dáil. I was not in the Dáil personally but I had the pleasure of seeing him and I followed his career assiduously for the rest of his life. His assassination at the end of 1963 was a tragedy for us in Ireland. President Kennedy emphasised the interdependence of nations and pointed out that no nation, whether large or small, can be indifferent to the fate of others, near or far. He quoted the following lines from his favourite poet, John Boyle O'Reilly, who was born in the small village of Dowth, outside Drogheda, around 1844:

The world is large, when its weary leagues two loving hearts divide; But the world is small, when your enemy is loose on the other side

Last Saturday in Drogheda, the John Boyle O'Reilly Society of Ireland held its inaugural meeting. The society's objective is to promote greater awareness and appreciation of the poet's life and work. He was a Fenian and a lover of literature, and was sent to Australia in 1868. However, he used his ingenuity to escape to Boston where he became editor of The Boston Pilot and advocated the rights of Irish people in the United States. President Kennedy became aware of him because of the many monuments that have been erected to him in Boston.

The theme of Saturday's seminar was whether the Seanad should be abolished. Former Senator Mary O'Rourke and I fought valiantly for the preservation of the House and my colleagues, Senators Whelan and D'Arcy, were very provocative in arguing for abolition. I suggested to Senator John Whelan that he might come to like the House better. We know he was shocked during his initial several days.