Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree entirely that it is not good enough on the big days. There are lots of opportunities outside that. On Friday, I met with Kevin Cullen from The Boston Globe. We have to look at a way of keeping up that engagement and keeping it consistent. There are many things outside our control such as the presidential election that is coming up. There is a loud debate on emigration, particularly on the Republican side, of which we are all aware. In the meantime, we can use our natural network with the United States and with people outside the Irish gene pool, such as Republican Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner, who introduced a Bill. We have advocates in people who are working in a very sensible way. While initially there was a wholehearted welcome of President Obama's executive action, there were weaknesses in it for many people. I am thinking of one man from my county who has no children so some people were left out.

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