Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In welcoming the new, I also wish to acknowledge the old and commend Deirdre Lane on her tenure as Clerk and wish her well.

Sixteen Members raised the matter of the executive order signed by the US President, Donald Trump, as well as preclearance, the use of Shannon Airport and the visit of the Taoiseach to the White House on St. Patrick's Day. It was an extraordinary decision, irrespective of one's political ideology. To see fear and panic on the faces of refugees or ordinary American citizens trying to go about their daily lives last weekend was appalling. Irrespective of those who protested, to hear the testimonies of people separated from their loved ones and to see people preparing to welcome strangers into their homes beggared belief. Preventing people from entering the United States because of religious faith is un-American. It does not stand with the American values many of us share.

It is not a policy that I share. The Taoiseach has made that clear. The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Charles Flanagan, is in Washington in discussions with the American Administration on this matter. What is extraordinary is that rather than making it the United States of America, the President, Donald Trump, is dividing people. Irrespective of the views pro or anti expressed by Members this afternoon, there are genuine concerns. It is important the Government expresses these concerns.

On the point made by Senator Ardagh, the Government created a Minister with responsibility for the diaspora, Jimmy Deenihan, a post now held by Deputy Joe McHugh. The Taoiseach appointed Senator Lawless as a representative of the diaspora who has been strong in standing up for it and travelling across America. I welcome the need for engagement and would be interested to hear Senators Ardagh and Daly flesh out the whole issue of a task force and what it can achieve. While not ruling it out, we have a Minister and Senator responsible, working on behalf of not just the undocumented Irish but those who work in the pastoral centres across many parts of the United States on behalf of families and our country. Senator Daly is correct that engaging with the diaspora is critical and maintaining strong ties with our people. Equally, it is important that the Taoiseach, on behalf of the Irish people, travels on St. Patrick's weekend to the United States of America, goes to the White House and engages with the new President of America, as well as the Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, if he is approved, the US Vice President, Mike Pence, and other members of the Administration.