Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael)

Ba mhaith liom cur leis an méid a dúirt an Seanadóir O'Toole mar gheall ar an díospóireacht speisialta a bheidh againn tráthnóna inniu ar stádas na Gaeilge. Cé go gcuirim fáilte roimh an díospóireacht — is fiúí agus is maith an rud é go mbeidh sí ar siúl — sílim go raibh an ceart ag an Seanadóir nuair a dúirt sé go mbeidh an díospóireacht beagáinín ró-ghairid. Ba chóir go mbeadh an díospóireacht ar siúl ar feadh cúpla uair a' chloig. Is ábhair iontach tábhachtach iad stádas na Gaeilge agus an méid atáá dhéanamh againn ar son na teanga.

As someone who has said in the House that he firmly believes in sending delegations abroad and presenting a very positive Irish image abroad, St. Patrick's Day is a great opportunity to showcase Ireland. I am a positive believer in it, and as we approach that day it is important, in the context of the awful events we discussed yesterday and are still discussing today, that we showcase the country positively.

I will raise one issue and move to others quickly. I ask the Leader to give us an assurance that the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Micheál Martin, will pursue a bilateral agreement for our forgotten people, the undocumented Irish who are like fugitives in America and cannot come home for family events. I mentioned the issue last week. I ask the Leader to assure us that a bilateral agreement will be sought, rather than waiting on an emigration Bill, which is pie in the sky and will clearly not arise. The American and Irish Governments should reach an agreement as there is enough good will to do so. Will the Leader respond to this point?

I support the views expressed to the Leader, to which I ask him to respond. In light of the weekend's awful events, we should heighten co-operation through the structures of the Anglo-Irish agreement. Will the Leader try to get action on harmonising prices in the North and South? It could be done through the Anglo-Irish conference. We could start with a couple of products and harmonise prices and taxation to provide a level playing pitch, which would have considerable implications for trade, sustainability of jobs, Exchequer returns and all-Ireland co-operation. Will the Leader prioritise the pursuit of tax harmonisation on a number of goods through the agreement?