Ned O'Sullivan (Fianna Fail)

I wish to raise something that was brought to my attention in Kerry at the weekend, which I hope the Leader will bring to the attention of the Ministers for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and Foreign Affairs. It relates to nefarious activities by individuals who are passing themselves off as migration agents "assisting" Irish citizens who wish to move to Australia. Members will be aware that the Australian Government has a target of attracting 200,000 additional workers between now and June 2009. Because of the current economic difficulties, it is becoming quite attractive for young professionals in particular to go to Australia. There is a myriad of documentation and a great deal of red tape associated with that because of visa requirements and so on. These individuals are setting themselves up as so-called Australian migration agents. There are only six such agents licensed by the Australian Government, yet these people are taking advantage of Irish nationals who wish to cut through the red tape.

I have one case involving an Irish nurse who paid in excess of €4,000, had two years of frustration but has still not obtained her Australian visa. No system is in place in this country for licensing such agents, unlike in the UK where it is stringently enforced. I ask the Leader of the House to bring this matter to the attention of the Minister.

The Gate Theatre celebrates its 80th anniversary this week. It would be important for this House to convey, through the Leader, our best wishes to that wonderful hallowed institution which has provided high class entertainment and the best of drama for those 80 years, from the works of Oscar Wilde to Harold Pinter to my own neighbour, John B. Keane. This is a wonderful occasion for the theatre and I ask that our best wishes be conveyed to it.