Irish-British relations and trade
Senator Keane welcomes the Queen’s visit and possible participation in 1916 commemorations, while highlighting the value of stronger Irish-British trade relations.
Ar scáth a chéile a mhairimid. Is é sin a dúirt ár nUachtarán. We certainly do live in one another's shadows, but we also live together and depend on one another. Both speeches last night, by the Queen and the President, did us proud. It was great to hear the Queen indicating a royal willingness to participate in the commemorations of the events of 1916. We look forward to this. The Taoiseach is meeting the British Prime Minister, Mr. David Cameron, this morning to discuss the possibility of a joint trade mission abroad. Looking at the trade figures, it is absolutely the case that ar scáth a chéile a mhairimid.
Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh stole my thunder in raising the article by Brenda Power in the Daily Mail yesterday, but I am very glad he did so. In conjunction with the news that Mr. John Joe Nevin who has done us all so proud has had both of his legs broken, it is a sad day for Travellers and boxing. John Joe apparently went into the middle of an affray and we see what transpired. Travellers have their own pride and their own troubles. At the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly this term, we will be producing a report on issues affecting the Traveller community throughout the island of Ireland, which has involved taking evidence from Traveller communities in the North and in London. We will be reporting on that at the end of the term. Will the Leader agree to have that report brought before the House for discussion? It goes without saying everyone, settled and Traveller, has to take responsibility for themselves, but the article by Ms Brenda Power focused on ethnicity. In particular, I condemn the language used. Every responsible person has problems with what some Travellers do, just as we have problems with what some settled people do. People are not all the same. Pavee Point today condemned outright the language used in the article. It is time we debated this subject and I ask that we do so after the BIPA report is published, which report should include recommendations in this regard.