Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Ag leanúint, ar bhealach, leis an téama sin, ba mhaith liom a bheith ceangailte leis na mothúcháin atá luaite ag na Seanadóirí Horkan agus Lawless maidir leis an dream óg a maraíodh i Berkeley agus an dream óg a d'fhulaing i Berkeley agus an dream ar fad timpeall orthu a thug tacaíocht agus mar sin dóibh.

It would be very good to have a debate on the diaspora and I agree with Senator Lawless that there are concerns around the reform of the J1 visa programme. I was concerned by statements made by the Minister of State, Deputy McHugh, about cherry-picking the emigrants he wants to attract back to Ireland. If there is a pick-up in the economy, as we are told, it is important that people are invited and encouraged to come back and that we make the environment suitable for that to happen. I am concerned that the Minister of State was speaking about cherry-picking engineers and professional people with degrees, etc. Our diaspora is so diverse, and there are so many people across the globe, that there are many issues that must be discussed in the area. It would be good to see his vision for the role. There are serious matters such as representation in the Houses, voting rights and how we work to help the undocumented abroad, etc. Irish people abroad need us to address issues of that nature in the House. It is good to have Senator Lawless here to represent that cohort. I know there are many groups outside the House that are regularly in contact with us and a debate on issues concerning the diaspora would be very pertinent.