Catherine Noone (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I join others in congratulating Mr. Martin Groves. It is an excellent appointment and I wish him well in the post.

I, too, condemn President Trump's actions in the strongest possible terms. I do not want to repeat what has been said already, but we need to do everything in our power in this country to influence the repeal of the relevant executive order, which is just astonishing. The world is quite truly shocked. Regarding the invitation to the White House, it is more important than ever that we avail of these sorts of diplomatic opportunities. There is no other place that our Taoiseach should be on our national holiday.

On pre-clearance, as Senator Higgins said, we need to look into the legalities. However, we must also be very careful not to put that on the table in negotiations because pre-clearance is something for which we are envied. We must, by all means, be happy in terms of carrying out that function but we also need to be extremely careful before we put that on the table. There is a queue of other countries waiting for that pre-clearance facility, particularly as it leads to a greater influx of people into one's jurisdiction.

I have raised the issue of alcohol consumption on many occasions. A recent study in The Lancetplaces Ireland in the top five countries in the world for the highest estimated alcohol intake during pregnancy. The study concludes that 60% of Irish births show evidence of alcohol consumption during pregnancy and that one in every 67 mothers who consumes alcohol during pregnancy will deliver a child with foetal alcohol syndrome. Foetal alcohol syndrome can cause problems with neurological development and growth and may result in learning difficulties and other such problems for children. The findings are truly alarming. Prevention is obviously very easy and would require greater awareness and education. I call on the Minister - to whom I have written - to consider that. In light of the report to which I refer, we clearly have much to do. It is no big boast to say that we are in the top five countries globally for alcohol consumption during pregnancy.