Kieran O'Donnell (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Mr. Cooney to Seanad Éireann and Ireland and hope he enjoys his stay.

I will pick up on a theme raised by Senator Grace O'Sullivan. The Seanad is different from the Senate in the United States. What practical steps could Senators take to assist the undocumented Irish in the United States? Mr. Cooney knows the system inside out and Senator Billy Lawless, the Seanad's man in America, also knows the system from first-hand experience. As the second House of Parliament, what practical action can the Seanad take on this issue? Is there a structure or particular type of process? Is there a missing element in terms of how the issue is being addressed? I know it is in limbo. What constructive steps can the Seanad take because, while talk is important, action speaks louder than words?