Kathryn Reilly (Sinn Fein)

The Minister, Deputy Bruton, will attend the House after the Order of Business to discuss the Action Plan for Jobs 2012, but now is the time for a real discussion on emigration and on why so many people emigrate, given the claims about lifestyle choices and emigration not always being the worst option.

The Irish are among the top five nationalities of people seeking working visas in Australia. I have been in contact with many Australian parliamentarians who stated that their Irish immigrants had the engineering and construction skills their country needed. The Seanad in particular should start to engage in a discussion on why so many young people, including families, are emigrating so that we can dispel the rumours about lifestyle choices and practical measures.

We also need to engage with the diaspora. Senator Daly has a motion on the Order Paper concerning an honorary Senator to represent the global Irish community. We need to start examining measures such as these, given that 12 people will emigrate in each of the State's electoral divisions this year. Concurrent with our debate today, can the House start to consider emigration as a topic for discussion?

I second Senator Norris's amendment to the Order of Business.