Michael Comiskey (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I was concerned to hear on radio earlier that the Australian Government intends to review the 457 visa for people who have emigrated to the country. Given many people from counties Sligo and Leitrim have emigrated to work in town and cities there, it is worrying. We should make contact with our counterparts in the Australian Parliament. Last year, Australian Senators visited the House and we should contact them to make sure nothing is done that will affect our emigrants. They have taken good skills with them and they are gaining more while in Australia. They are also helping our economy by sending home much needed money with some paying mortgages on properties they built here. If one visited a pub in any town or city in Australia, one would have no difficulty putting a football team together. We should do all we can. We are working closely with the Americans to make sure the undocumented Irish are looked after and we should do the same regarding Australia.