Susan O'Keeffe (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister. I also welcome this opportunity to discuss a positive, spirit-lifting initiative that we can all support. It does not matter whether we are shoemakers or interested in our ancestries. Unfortunately, I cannot raise a story about shoes to match the others.

The beauty of The Gathering is that it will be built as we go and as people discover new interests and where they can play to their strengths. For example, Senator van Turnhout referred to inviting people from around the world who are interested in early learning. She might not have thought of doing so had The Gathering not been started. The Gathering is a large umbrella under which any number of interesting and peculiar initiatives might be held during the year.

I will pay tribute to the Minister for printing his speech on this paper. It may not be known that people who suffer from dyslexia are recommended to read from paper that is not white. This is the first time that I have seen any Department offer a speech that is not on white paper. Perhaps we might all take a leaf out of the Minister's book and ask for this paper to be used in future.

I will also pay tribute to Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. I might say that, being from Sligo, which has just won the bid on the 2014 fleadh. I am most grateful to Senator Ó Murchú and his colleagues. In my correspondence to the ardcomhairle, I referred to how the organisation protected the fleadh and kept it afloat even when doing so was difficult. Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann always understood that it was precious. It has the authentic feel to which the Minister referred. When people want to enjoy their experience in Ireland, they feel like they have dirtied their hands - in the broadest sense of that phrase - with the fleadh, in that they have connected with real people. The fleadh is a fine example of how to do that. I pay tribute to my colleague, Senator Ó Murchú, with whom I do not always agree on political points. His many years of dedication and commitment to the work of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann are seen on large occasions.

It is seen certainly where I live in the enormous enthusiasm of young people have for playing and enjoying music in their own homes. I attended an event over Christmas where people were playing music in their own home for pleasure, they were aged from 12 to 25 and were having a good time playing traditional music. That is what the Senator has worked to achieve and he has achieved it and is continuing to do so. It is good to hear that the Russians and the Argentinians do not want to miss out on it.

I would like to refer to my great uncle Thomas Cooper, to whom I have referred previously in the House. He was the man who made the first film in Ireland, "The Dawn". He was less known in other parts of the country, apart from in Killarney where he was known by the people. I am sorry to advise Senator Brennan that Killarney would claim to be main place of tourism in Ireland but I am sure Carlingford is probably a very close second.