Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Every government in the world is now preparing its plans to have a meeting with the new President Obama. I am sure the Government will be in that mix. It is only appropriate that the Taoiseach should send a message of congratulations on behalf of the Irish people to Barack Obama on his stunning election victory. Is a possible visit to the White House envisaged on the schedule of international trips, in addition to the Taoiseach's traditional St. Patrick's Day business, or will a request be made by the Government that the Taoiseach will be facilitated in due course? The Taoiseach might prefer to bring President-elect Obama to Moneygall or wherever as soon as possible. I assume Mr. Obama will bring Vice President-elect Biden with him who has connections in my own part of the country.

Senator Obama has made comments about the taxation system in America and the consequences for American firms with investments abroad. That has clear implications for Ireland where at least 100,000 people are directly employed in American industries based here. Is the Taoiseach concerned about the comments made by President-elect Obama and is it his intention to convey to him our concerns in this regard or is there ongoing contact about the matter?

I welcome the holiday arrangements made between the Irish and US Governments. The defeated US presidential candidate, Senator McCain, had a real interest in immigration and legitimising the position of undocumented immigrants in the United States. The problem still exists for the Irish and will not go away. It is estimated that there are approximately 50,000 undocumented young Irish in the United States and there will probably be more because people are emigrating there again. This is a cause of concern. Does the Taoiseach have a strategy in place to work towards legitimising the undocumented Irish in the US who pay their way, have social security numbers and who may be married with school-going children? They want to legitimise themselves and are prepared to pay for the privilege. Do the Taoiseach and Department of Foreign Affairs have a strategy to build on the platform of the holiday visa arrangements and work towards legitimately documenting these people in the United States so that they can continue to pay their way there if that is where they want to live?

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