Frances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael)

Last week, the House agreed that an all-party motion on the undocumented Irish in the United States should be tabled. I am glad such a motion is included on today's Order Paper. In light of recent events and comments made by the Taoiseach, however, it is not satisfactory that this all-party motion will be taken without debate. The situation has changed in respect of this matter and an explanation should be provided in the House in respect of what the Taoiseach meant when he commented on this matter in the United States. The Taoiseach referred to "people who do not really know what they are talking about" when referring to those who represent the undocumented Irish. He also stated — this was a strange remark — that they are "talking from a position of sitting in the bar and talking nonsense". I thought the Taoiseach had respect for those who are trying to run the campaign aimed at having the situation changed.

Last week, Senator McFadden spoke movingly about individual cases of hardship. It appears the Taoiseach misrepresented the position of the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform. The chairman of that organisation, Mr. Niall O'Dowd, pointed out that it had never sought an open-ended amnesty for the undocumented Irish and stated that it is seeking a solution and a discussion with the Government of the United States. The Taoiseach seems to have changed his position and has almost given up hope. That is a very depressing message for the families of the undocumented Irish, who are concerned about the difficult circumstances in which their loved ones find themselves. I wish to move an amendment to the Order of Business so that we might debate this matter today. The holding of such a debate seemed to be the wish of those on all sides last week.

I wish to comment on a topic that gained a great deal of attention in the House very recently when two young Polish men were violently assaulted and killed. I was involved in a discussion on radio at the weekend in respect of Irish identity and the great opportunity presented by St. Patrick's Day in that regard. There is no doubt that St. Patrick's Day does present such an opportunity but it also seems to be the occasion for the perpetration of anti-social behaviour on our streets. Such behaviour was on display in Finglas at the weekend. There appears to be a continuum of violent behaviour and that is a serious matter. In my constituency on Thursday afternoon last four men drove up to a small local shopping centre and caused terror by firing four shots while robbing €100,000 from those refilling an ATM machine. One man was murdered in Newcastle and another in Clondalkin.

We need to see some leadership on this issue. The House has addressed this on a number of occasions. There is a real problem with leadership and co-ordination in this area. It is not just about a security response, although that is certainly one aspect of it. We must deal also with some of the other issues that arise, such as parental responsibility or where the money is going in local authorities to handle the difficulties being faced by communities. There must be a combined response.

I ask the Leader to come back to the House after the Easter recess with the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Ministers for Education and Science, the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs to have a discussion that will begin to address some of the issues about which Senators on all sides of the House are concerned. We are facing a change in values and a breakdown in communities. These are not just empty words. There is a real challenge in terms of what we should do, what resources are to be put in place and who will lead. This is a good place to begin that debate after Easter.