Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I join with my colleagues in welcoming the Kennedy family. I represent the city of Limerick. John F. Kennedy visited Limerick in 1963 at what was then the old racecourse. The racecourse has moved but the structures are still there. At the time, the mayor was female, which was very unusual. Both of my parents were there. My dad has passed away but my mother is still alive and remembers it with fond affection. There is a great bond between the Kennedys and Ireland. I hope they get an opportunity to visit the sites. I do not know if they will have an opportunity to go to Limerick. They would be most welcome. Perhaps they could fly home through Shannon. Above everything else and apart from the human aspect, the link between ourselves and the Kennedys is symbolic and runs very deeply for both ourselves and the Kennedy family. It is great to have them here.

I thank Senator Joe O'Reilly for raising this important issue on behalf of his constituents. I have no doubt that St. Aidan's Comprehensive School regards him as a very proud alumnus and is very proud of what he has done. This debate gives me the opportunity to outline to the House the plans of the Department of Education and the Minister for upgrading school buildings, including those at St. Aidan’s Comprehensive School, Cootehill, County Cavan. St. Aidan’s is a co-educational comprehensive school, which was a new type of school at the time. Am I correct that the Senator said there were 620 students?