Mark Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Jimmy would often stop one in the corridor and provide a nice word of encouragement. For that, I thank him. He has often given us advice. The advice that I give him is that the secret to a happy retirement is learning how to spend time without spending money. If he can crack that particular nut, he should let us know.

Will the Leader organise a debate on the undocumented Irish in the US? In April, Congress will table legislative proposals to solve the issue for the nearly 12 million undocumented persons in the US, including 50,000 Irish. Last week, the Taoiseach was at Capitol Hill and had an audience with Republican and Democratic Congressmen. According to the press release published beforehand by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, he stated that he would raise the issue. The time to do so is when one is in a room with the people who matter. From the White House transcripts, however, the Taoiseach did not raise the issue in front of the Republican and Democratic leaders.

Will the Leader ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to attend the Seanad to explain why the Government did not avail of the opportunity presented by St. Patrick's Day and press home our concerns about the situation of the undocumented Irish? We continually preach to the choir, those who are already on board the train, but we do not engage with Republicans who have concerns about the issue of undocumented persons in their constituencies. Will the Leader find out why the issue was not raised at the appropriate time on Capitol Hill?