Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)

Yesterday was a historic day when our Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade presented the first certificate of Irish heritage in New York to the family of Joe Hunter who was in squad 288 of the New York Fire Department. Joe's mother had to receive it on his behalf because, along with many members of his squad, he was killed ten years ago, on 11 September 2001, at the age of 31. It was fitting that the Tánaiste would give the award to someone in the fire department who gave his life in the service of others.

Joe Hunter represented some 70 million people of Irish descent living abroad, including 40 million Irish Americans who have contributed so much to their adopted country, as well as to Ireland. I wish to pay tribute to Ray Bassett who, in 2009, worked alongside me to ensure that the certificate scheme came to fruition. It shows the great work of our public servants when the strategic review, which was written by Ambassador Collins and included the proposal for a certificate, made it all the way to New York. Bridget Hunter, Joe's mother, said she was very proud to be the first recipient of the first certificate of Irish heritage. It is a great day for the country to start recognising the millions of people who have contributed so much to Ireland from their adopted countries.