Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Has a request been submitted by the Government for a meeting between the Taoiseach and the United States President-elect, Mr. Obama, to take place some time in the new year? Is it likely that the Taoiseach will visit Washington on the traditional St. Patrick's Day business and has a formal request been submitted in that regard? What is the up-to-date position — or the latest report, as the Taoiseach would call it — in respect of the undocumented Irish in the United States? Are we moving to prepare a new case on that?

What is the position regarding yesterday's visit by the President of the Czech Republic, Mr. Vaclav Klaus? The Taoiseach has conducted himself properly on his visits abroad. In light of the remarks by Deputy Timmins and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Martin, that Mr. Klaus's actions were entirely inappropriate in attending, while on a state visit, a function where unelected persons——

See this speech in context