Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The core of this question was answered last week. We have been treated to the highly unusual situation where there is film of what was said at the other end of the line. As I said last week, we must have a large dose of realism when discussing what Ireland can achieve in bilateral discussions with powerful countries. Equally, it remains clear that President Trump's knowledge of Ireland remains roughly on a par with that when he was welcomed to a Sinn Féin fundraiser by Deputy Gerry Adams. On that occasion, a couple of months before the Canary Wharf bombing, Deputy Gerry Adams spoke admiringly of Mr. Trump, even saying Sinn Féin was happy to play "the Trump card." It has been reported that when the Minister of State, Deputy John Paul Phelan, managed to persuade Deputy John Deasy to talk to the Taoiseach again, the Taoiseach offered him the role of special envoy to the US Congress. Will the Taoiseach explain what is involved in this highly unusual role? Does it supersede that of Ministers who are supposed to be undertaking this task as part of their role and the role of the ambassador to Washington who has always been the touch point in relationships with Congress and Capitol Hill? The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade or one of his Ministers of State normally has explicit responsibility for lobbying on the issue of undocumented immigrants, for instance, among other issues. Did the Taoiseach discuss this appointment with them? Are there costs involved in the appointment? Will the Taoiseach explain, apart from being a consolation prize for Deputy John Deasy, what is actually involved and what the Deputy will be doing in the role?

See this speech in context