Before we move to the first Commencement matter, I welcome a delegation from New Jersey to Seanad Éireann

They have been with the Chair of the education committee and me over the past number of hours, exchanging ideas and building friendships. Most of all, I thank Deputy Speaker Carol Murphy for being here. She is most welcome. She is no stranger to this House. She is the leader of the American Irish State Legislators Caucus and had the idea for the New Jersey Ireland Trade Commission, which has been established in New Jersey. I also welcome Senator Paul Moriarty, Deputy Speaker Wayne DeAngelo, Deputy Speaker Anthony Verrelli, Deputy Majority Leader Dave Bailey, Deputy Conference Leader Alixon Collazos-Gill, Deputy Conference Leader Vicky Flynn, Deputy Conference Leader Tennille R. McCoy, Assemblyman Ed Rodriguez, Assemblyman Gregory Myhre, Assemblywoman Mitchelle Drulis, Assemblywoman Margie Donlon, Maureen Raisch, Shannon Flynn, Amber Myhre, Erin Reagan, Cory Hughes, Eileen Kean and Elliot Schneider. For anybody whose name I got wrong, we will make sure it is corrected in the record so they are there forever and a day.

I thank the delegation from New Jersey. America this year celebrates its 250th anniversary and I note Trenton, the New Jersey state capital, played an important part in the crossing of the Delaware river over 250 years ago. That set America on the path to independence and set Ireland on a similar journey. We were just a few years behind. I thank New Jersey for its support for Ireland in the Good Friday peace agreement and in our struggle for independence. I thank the delegation for being here today.