Frank Feighan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree with Senator Mac Lochlainn about those infrastructural projects. He is right that the City of Derry Airport is used by a lot of people from Donegal, as is the A5. I think a lot more work could be done. I am bit concerned about the United Kingdom leaving Europe and Brexit.It could have implications for funding for those vital cross-Border infrastructure projects.

Sometimes we spend our time criticising the European Union and some of its ideas. However, I have discovered an idea which I think is absolutely wonderful. It is an interesting proposal. The proposal is to offer every 18 year old the opportunity to travel throughout Europe free of charge by train for four weeks. Up to 300,000 European 18 year olds could avail of this popular inter-rail scheme for free. It could give many young people the opportunity to travel around Europe, to explore and to become European. I believe the House should support this initiative. It will cost up to €3 billion but it will get people out of their comfort zones to travel around Europe. I certainly agree with Manfred Weber, who said: "Europe is about emotions, to see other cultures, to see other languages." People all around Europe can get to know and learn to cherish each other. It is a wonderful idea. It is something I did 30 years ago and I enjoyed every minute of it. Perhaps if I had not travelled I might have got a normal job and enjoyed myself. We should absolutely encourage this wonderful proposal. Well done to the EU.