Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I very much welcome the interest the Taoiseach has taken in Irish-America and note the good work done during his recent visit to the United States. I visited the east coast of the United States and Canada last month on the back of super-storm Sandy. The Taoiseach will be aware of the devastation the storm wreaked, including in traditional Irish communities. Hundreds of homes were destroyed on Breezy Point and Staten Island. The House should extend condolences to Damien Moore from Portnoo in County Donegal and his wife, Glenda, whose two sons, Connor and Brendan, were swept from their mother's arms and drowned. Have our consular services been engaged in providing assistance to any Irish passport holders caught up in the storm?

The Taoiseach's visit to the United States is proof that Irish-America has a major contribution to make to recovery here, although this should not be reduced to a financial role alone. Successive Governments have ignored the plight of the undocumented Irish in the United States and Australia. It is disappointing, therefore, that the Taoiseach did not discuss the issue with the Administration. While it may not have been opportune to do so in the thrust of an election, the Government should raise the issue on a consistent basis.

With The Gathering imminent, when will the Government fulfil its promise in the programme for Government to enact legislation to allow for the publication of the 1926 census? This information would be a valuable resource for those who seek to explore their Irish heritage.

I read Prime Minister Cameron's remarks on the forthcoming G8 summit in which he outlined three main themes for the meeting, namely, the fight against protectionism in global trade, action against tax avoidance and promoting greater transparency and openness. While these are commendable objectives, the Prime Minister misses the point. The G8 must address the economic crisis facing the world, in particular the poor of the developing world. I ask the Taoiseach to raise the grave situation in the Middle East and the failure thus far of the international community to intervene in the conflict there. In this regard, I commend the Government's decision to vote in support of the Palestinians at the United Nations General Assembly last week. Surely it would be opportune to raise this matter when world leaders come to Ireland where we have a successful peace process.

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