Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)

With regard to the undocumented Irish, I appreciate the work the Taoiseach has done. I know he raised this issue during the St. Patrick's day visit, as I did, and I point out that this visit gives a particular opportunity to raise the issue once again.

Nuair a bhí an Taoiseach sa Teach Bán, bhí an tUachtarán Obama ag caint faoi fear gorm as na Stáit Aontaithe darbh ainm Frederick Douglass. Frederick Douglass was an escaped slave, a freedom fighter and a human rights activist in the USA. During the St. Patrick's day visit event for the Taoiseach hosted by President Obama, the President spoke about Frederick Douglass, who came to Ireland in 1845 and was described as the black O'Connell of America. There are plans to unveil a statue to this activist in Cork and there is a request that President Obama would perform that ceremony. Given the Taoiseach said the final details have not been agreed, will he tell us whether this is part of the consideration?

One of the reasons this man came into such public consciousness was not just because of his life's work but because he published a book, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, which the Taoiseach may be interested to know will be republished and launched this Thursday in Glasnevin Cemetery museum.

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