Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I agree with the Taoiseach about An Gorta Mór museum at Quinnipiac. I commend the work of Mr. John Lahey, the president of the university. As the Taoiseach outlined, the university has compiled a unique collection of art, research and resource materials on the Gorta Mór and the subsequent period. It tells the story of Ireland in many ways, and the work is significant and invaluable. I was very impressed, as I am sure the Taoiseach was, by the sculpture and other artwork from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries by foremost artists such as Daniel McDonald, John Behan, Robert Ballagh, Paul Henry, Margaret Allen and many others. I echo his appeal for anybody who is in the vicinity to visit it.

I am also pleased that the Taoiseach found the time to meet President Clinton, who retains a very deep and insightful interest in affairs in this part of the world, across the island but not least in the North. Recently, the 20th anniversary of his first visit to the North was celebrated. The Taoiseach will remember the event, during which he travelled from Belfast to Derry and Dublin. I try to keep in good contact with him, given that he is a true friend of Ireland on many issues about which we are concerned.

The major issue for many Irish Americans, which the Taoiseach did not mention, is the plight of the undocumented. It is estimated that 500,000 people left Ireland during the past eight years, going not only to the US but also to Australia, Canada, Britain, Europe and Asia. There are tens of thousands of people in the US due to the austerity policies. While some travelled legally, it is estimated that there are 50,000 illegal or undocumented Irish. They did not go for the craic, as a lifestyle choice or for the experience. While they might get all that when they are there, it was not the reason they went. They went because they had no long-term employment prospects, meaningful work or proper terms and conditions here. Many of them have families in the US, pay tax and contribute positively to US society. However, when it comes to a bereavement, christening or wedding, they cannot return home. While they contribute significantly to the US economy and are generally recognised as model citizens, they are the Skype generation.

President Obama's executive order last November presents an opportunity for some of them to come out of the shadows and regularise and legalise their presence. It also opens up frustrations given that, for some of them, the ability to acquire a social security card, work legally and get a drivers' licence conflicts with their ability to return to Ireland. If they return, they might not get back to the US. They are caught idir eatarthu, between two worlds. A man from Mayo whom the Taoiseach knows well, Ciarán Staunton, is known to many in the Oireachtas for his hard work on behalf of the undocumented. Mr. Stauntonis arguing that the introduction of a waiver policy that would remove the obstacle of the three-year and ten-year bar for undocumented Irish citizens in the US would be an important step forward. A similar waiver scheme is operated by the US mission in Mexico. I recently spoke to Mr. Staunton in New York, and he was in the Oireachtas a few days ago. He is lobbying in this regard, and he believes a waiver scheme, if introduced, would benefit 25% of undocumented Irish citizens. If the United States Embassy in Dublin waived the three-year and ten-year bars, people could go through sponsorship or investment and re-enter the US legally with a regularised status. Has the Taoiseach discussed the proposal with the US Government? Has anybody from the Government discussed it with the US ambassador to Ireland, Mr. Kevin O'Malley, here in Dublin?

I am pleased that the Taoiseach raised the case of Ibrahim Halawa with President el-Sisi. I have been very disappointed with and critical of the Government's refusal to be active on the issue. This young Irish citizen has been held without trial and was on hunger strike for some weeks. He should not be in prison. While it is good that the Taoiseach raised it with the President of Egypt, it is not good enough that our Government is not exhausting all the opportunities open to it.

The Government must have taken a decision not to officially recognise the status of the state of Palestine. This is contrary to the Oireachtas all-party and non-party agreement on the issue. There is no other explanation. If the Government wanted to recognise the state of Palestine, it would do so. The Government recognises the State of Israel, which is fair enough, but to recognise one without recognising both shows a considerable bias. Such tilting against the underdog drives the warmongers in the region. If we cannot uphold international law and the international status of the people of Palestine, who will?

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