Michael Mullins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Like Senator Hayden, I welcome the Tánaiste's meeting with American politicians in the US today. I hope it will help the undocumented Irish. This is a long-running saga, with many people living in the US unable to return to Ireland for important family events. It is time the issue were resolved and I wish the Tánaiste well. I also support the call for a debate with the Tánaiste on the various human rights issues throughout the world that are causing many people great distress.

A significant conference, entitled Our Ocean Wealth, is taking place in Dublin Castle today. When the Government entered into office, it took the issue of the wealth beneath our ocean seriously. The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Coveney, has been driving a programme to harness our ocean wealth and produce an integrated marine plan. It is important that the House debate the progress on the plan, and I ask the Leader to schedule such a debate in early course.