Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

Ba mhaith liom aontú leis an méid atá ráite ag an tSeanadóir Nicky McFadden mar gheall ar na daoine ón tir seo atá i Nua Eabhrac, Boston agus cathracha eile sna Stáit Aontaithe agus nach bhfuil cead acu a bheith ann.

I support Senator McFadden's views. The Minister for Foreign Affairs has taken a particular interest in this matter. I recently made representations to him about a citizen from my town, a young girl who is undocumented and who was incarcerated for four weeks in a women's prison before being deported. This is unacceptable behaviour and the Minister has referred it to the American authorities. I agree with the sentiments and the content of the motion put forward by members of the Labour Party and I think the House should speak with one voice and support the Minister and the Taoiseach in their strenuous efforts. They have both raised the matter with President Bush on previous visits to the United States.

I also wish to raise another issue, albeit with some reluctance. Given the week that is in it and the affinity which many Members have with the goings-on in Cheltenham, I ask the Leader to arrange a debate at an early stage on the addiction of gambling and its consequences. In the ten years I have been in this House, we have had many debates on alcohol and drug addiction but we need to focus specifically on the effects of gambling. It is a widespread habit and there has been a significant increase in the number of betting shops in all towns. Betting is also available on-line and there are one-arm bandit machines and other machines in betting shops. One of the bookmakers recently reported profits of €63 million, an increase of 50%, which is phenomenal, even in a growing economy.

Underpinning some of those profits are harrowing personal accounts for individuals and their families. Apparently, it is one of the largest contributory factors in suicide in Ireland, therefore, it is an issue on which we should focus. There may well be an argument for planning advertising in regard to it. I ask the Leader whether he could, at an early opportunity, have a debate on this most important topic.