Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. Tá céad míle fáilte roimh an Aire agus táim cinnte go mbeidh céad míle fáilte roimh na míle Gael a bheidh ag filleadh ar an dtír seo don ocáid speisialta seo. Níl amhras faoi ná go bhfuil na Gaeil thar a bheith go maith ag ceiliúradh agus táim cinnte go mbeidh an scéal amhlaidh arís. Molaim an obair atá idir láimhe ag an Aire.

I welcome the Minister to the House and compliment him on the implementation of his portfolio. He comes across to me as a no-nonsense, straight talking Minister who avoids acrimonious debates. I have noticed that on television and in other fora and believe it is particularly important at a time when there is a lot of negativity abroad. I compliment the Minister on that. I have also discovered that important people are descended from shoemakers. For instance, President Obama's ancestor was also a shoemaker in Moneygall. The Minister and the President have a lot in common.

The Irish people, as we know, have travelled for centuries throughout the world and those of us who have been fortunate to meet them on different occasions in different parts of the world realise the love that they still have for their homeland. Every opportunity they get, they want to help Ireland. We should not spend too much time with any of the negative comments that were made about The Gathering. They were really very peripheral and were not very serious. Unfortunately, however, these things gather legs and they end up in the international media. The Irish were misrepresented in those negative comments. The suggestion that we only go to the diaspora on St. Patrick's Day or that we only come with a begging bowl is absolute nonsense. The network that has been established between Ireland - including official agencies, voluntary bodies, community organisations and so forth - and the Irish diaspora is very strong and visionary. There is no doubt that there is a huge foundation of co-operation in existence. The comments were a misrepresentation of the situation as it stands.

The Gathering has an echo in An Tóstal and those of us of a certain age can remember back to that series of festivals. I think I was about 13 or 14 at the time that we had a huge event in the town of Cashel. I can remember the huge cultural parade and I had the role of an acolyte in it. I recall it being on newsreel in the cinema, as happened at that particular time. The cinema in Cashel was packed on the occasion and I went up to see myself. I think I saw myself for a half a second but nevertheless, it was my hour of glory. The positivity which came out of An Tóstal at that time was unique. I am sure that when Senator Paschal Mooney arrives to speak he will refer to the fact that An Tóstal still continues in one town, Drumshambo in County Leitrim, to this very day. I always regretted that it did not continue and that is why I know The Gathering is going to succeed. I do not have any doubt about that.

It will succeed because the Irish are good at a number of things, including presenting a party, which is what The Gathering will be. It provides an opportunity for people, not only in the large populated cities and towns but in the villages and townlands, to come out and nail their colours to the mast and show themselves as they are, namely, communities wishing to welcome back the broader family of Ireland. When one considers that there are 70,000 people of Irish extraction throughout the world, this is unique. That is, however, only a small part of the story. The influence and impact of the Irish diaspora in their adopted countries is also unique.

When the organisation with which I am connected, Comhaltas Ceoltoirí Éireann, received an application five or six years from Moscow regarding the formation of a branch in Russia and we inquired who were the Irish people involved we learned those involved were Russian and not Irish people. The secretary of that branch is Yuri, an Irish speaking Russian. Comhaltas Ceoltoirí Éireann has branches in 15 countries on four continents. During the past three months two new branches were opened in Argentina and Chile and another was opened in Bogota, Colombia, with a second to follow. We must have something very special that appeals to other nationalities that they want to embrace it, participate in it and celebrate it. I do not know how one puts a price on an asset of that type, which is not commercial but has economic consequences.

I have previously heard sections of the media comment badly on representatives of the Irish Government going abroad for St. Patrick's Day. Sadly, not only were the representatives of Government pilloried, so too were our people abroad who wanted to indicate with pride the connection they had with our country. Three years ago, I had the pleasure of being the guest of honour at the parade in St. Louis, although not on behalf of Government. Prior to that parade 12,000 people, wearing green jerseys, came together for a sponsored race. Some 300,000 people turned up at that parade. The sight of Irish people showing off their Irishness was unique. There must be an end to people saying Irish Government representatives should not be going abroad because of the expense involved and more focus on the amount of money that is generated through their appearance on television and in the newspapers, which is all good publicity. The Gathering, through the bringing together of cultural, industrial and community Ireland, will also be good publicity. We have a unique story to tell and a unique product to market.

The Gathering is off to a good start. I wish those involved well. I have no doubt that it will leave behind a legacy of positivity and ideas with which we can work into the future. We must take this opportunity to work together for the common cause. I hope, however, that this does not stop at the Border. For the first time in 60 years Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann will be held across the Border. It will be attended by 300,000 people and will generate ¤40 million. That it is being held on the other side of the Border must be of interest to Tourism Ireland, which markets all of Ireland. I salute Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland who have done an outstanding job against all the odds down through the years. This is the time for Ireland to shine. Let The Gathering be the unifying element we needed in this time of recession.