Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Governor Healey's words were absolutely inspiring. She embraced all of us in every single thing that she said. I will tell the governor that the ambassador, H.E. Claire Cronin, is very efficient in all of her official dealings with us and is also truly a friend to us. She is always a proud Massachusetts woman. Nowadays, when somebody leaves school, it is a rite of passage to take a flight and go away on holiday. When I was leaving school in the 1980s, that was not necessarily the case. However, my father heard an interview with Lillian Carter, the former president Jimmy Carter's mother, about Friendship Force and trying to build bonds between Ireland and America. He thought I should have something on my CV that would mark me out as a little different in interviews so the first time I was ever on a plane, I was going to Boston. I was collected there and brought to the most wonderful family in Worcester, Massachusetts. I learned a great deal about American hospitality and the American way of life, which has really stood to me to this day. Last weekend, I spent time with another Massachusetts family, the Shrivers, descended from Eunice Kennedy Shriver. I have a small pin here with Eunice on it for the Special Olympics. The motto this year was "Unbeatable together". With America and Ireland working together, we are unbeatable.

The governor mentioned business links. In the county I am from, County Kildare Chamber has had a number of very successful visits. The linkages have been really important. A very good friend of mine, Richard Meehan, is the CEO of an American company, based in Boston, Velico Medical, which saves lives through its production of dried blood and plasma products for defence forces all over the world.I have met many of the Irish and Americans who are working in the best possible way. I see first-hand the partnership that goes on. To finish, I will channel John F. Kennedy, and say the work goes on, the cause endures and the dream shall never die. May we always have friendship, may we always have laughter, and may we always work together.