Tom Clonan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Welcome home. Fáilte abhaile. When I think of diversity and inclusion, I always think of liberty and freedom. The first shots for liberty and freedom were fired in the Battles of Lexington and Concord in the commonwealth of Massachusetts. In fact, almost 50% of the continental army of the United States in the Revolutionary War were Irish emigrants. In the field, many of them spoke Irish. It prompted Lord Mountjoy to remark when he went home with his tail between his legs - sorry to our British friends - that America was lost through the Irish emigrants. So close are the connections between our countries, we are indeed family. Washington himself at the early stages of that war, when it was not clear what the outcome would be, said:

Ireland, thou friend of my country in my country's most friendless days, much injured, much enduring land, accept this poor tribute ... If defeated everywhere else, I will make my last stand for liberty among the [Irish]

Here you are, among the Irish.

Growing up in the 1970s and 1980s, we had the example of the United States, which then had a population of approximately 180 million people, diverse by way of ethnicity, religious formation, sexual identity, gender and sexual orientation. It is that diversity that makes the United States great and it is that growing diversity in Irish society that will make us relevant in the 21st century. It is actually the key to our survival.

Other people here have mentioned their family connections to the United States. I have an unusual surname so it is very easy for me to research my US cousins. Be careful what you wish for because I discovered in the library of the House of Representatives a Thomas Clonan who was found guilty of attempting to evade taxes in 1866. When confronted by the tax inspector, he said, "There is no man called Thomas Clonan at this address but a horse by that name is stabled here." Unfortunately for him, that defence did not work. I googled this before speaking and found that his account was corroborated by a neighbour.