Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I cannot say whether we can support it at this time, but I will take a look at it. I will speak to the Minister for Justice, Deputy Helen McEntee, who I expect to be the Minister addressing it in the Seanad, to see what we can do. Perhaps we will not oppose it and attempt to find a solution on Committee Stage. Senator Bacik is one of the best legislators in these Houses so we would always take a serious look at any legislation she puts forward, or at any legislation put forward by any Member. We have found solutions to these issues in the past. Only last year we brought in a scheme to regularise people who came here on a student visa, whose student visa lapsed and who ended up in the workforce. Many have been here for years. This is pretty much what happens to the undocumented Irish in America, who often arrive with a student visa and overstay. We found a solution to that. We never use the term "amnesty" because we have signed a European agreement not to implement amnesties, but we arrived at a system allowing such people to apply for a regularised status. Perhaps we can come up with a scheme to facilitate these young people as well. As I say, I agree with the point the Deputy is making. I would not like to see too many more cases like this arise without a solution in place.

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