Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his comments. I note provision has been made for a 7% increase in salaries and wages next year. Perhaps the Minister or Mr. Gormley will answer my questions on staffing. Will the Department advertise for additional staff and if so, how many? Recruitment was reported on RTE, the national broadcaster. Not everything RTE says is true but it might be in this instance.

I wish to comment on the embassy network. Recently Deputy Grealish and I visited Egypt. I want to put it on the record of the House that any time Members of the Oireachtas travel abroad the Irish consular service and people who work in our embassies do exceptional work. In Egypt a small Irish team comprised of an ambassador and consular staff do a superb job in a very difficult situation. Deputy Grealish and I saw at first hand the additional security measures that are required in Cairo. It is not the easiest of working environments. On my own behalf I wish to express my gratitude to the consular service and embassy staff for the work that they do all over the world. I would like to get a handle on how much it costs to provide a service.

The Minister of State mentioned the importance of the J1 visa programme and like him, I welcome the additional visas. Yesterday I mentioned the undocumented Irish to the Minister in the Dáil. What is our approach to the undocumented Irish? Perhaps this is not the correct forum to discuss the matter. Are reciprocal visa arrangements along the lines of the Australian deal being considered? Is Ireland still in the overall group of the 12 million illegal or undocumented people in America? Has the Minister sought a specific bilateral arrangement for Ireland? I appreciate that the new Administration is in existence for a short time. What is our approach now?