Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I agree with the Taoiseach that this is the time, at the dawn of a new Administration, to press the US Government on the undocumented. I commend the approach and appeal to the Taoiseach to make representation to the Secretary of State, whom we are advised will be leaving her position this year. I am sure the Taoiseach meets people who are variously called undocumented or illegals. They are not there through any fault of their own. I appeal to the Taoiseach to raise their case and to press it in the future.

I welcome the fact the Taoiseach has been invited to attend the G8 summit in the context of the EU Presidency. I wish him well in that challenging role. The G8 is by any definition an exclusive group representing rich states. Mr. Cameron has taken the opportunity to set out his thoughts on what should be discussed. I invite the Taoiseach to do the same, not just as Taoiseach but in the context of the EU Presidency.

The biggest issue facing us in terms of conflict resolution on a global scale is the Middle East. It infects the entire region and spreads with all of the other difficulties that arise from it. The two elements locked in conflict cannot get a peace process in place because there is no leadership to do it within the Israeli Government and no inclination by it to do so. I support the two-state solution. Will the Taoiseach take the opportunity to put that on the agenda? Notwithstanding our difficulties - everything is relative - will he also raise the issue of poverty? He is aware that people in the developing world, in particular the Continent of Africa, live in extreme poverty, almost like our Gorta Mór. The developed world is represented by the G8 and has an opportunity to put in place proper policies to deal with those issues.

I commend that approach and wish the Taoiseach well.

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