Michael Finucane (Fine Gael)

I support Senator Ryan's comments. It would be worthwhile finding out what authorisation the Americans had to introduce the recent changes at Shannon Airport.

RTE recently broadcast a good programme on undocumented Irish immigrants in America. They are caught in a twilight zone because of restrictions introduced in the name of homeland security. Shannon Airport has been used for a considerable period as a stopover for the US military with the tacit approval of the Government. What has President Bush offered the State by way of recompense other than a series of restrictions on Irish people working in America, which have been reinforced by the recent changes introduced at Shannon Airport? What authorisation have US officials received for these changes?