Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I am making the point to the Deputy that I do not see the relevance of this to the questions that are put down here. If Deputy Kenny wants to ask a question about this, he should put it down.

As regards the matter he is raising, every citizen is concerned when the integrity of the Irish passport is compromised and it is a question of taking the matter up with the authorities concerned. The St. Patrick's Day visit to the White House will allow us the opportunity to discuss with President Obama many issues of mutual and bilateral concern, and indeed issues of economic concern. That is the priority, I would have thought, when one gets a rare opportunity to sit down with a person of that eminence, namely, the President of the United States, to discuss issues that Ireland has with the United States. The issues we have with other states we shall deal with, as appropriate.

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