Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome this debate. I will try to build on rather than repeat a couple of the points made by previous speakers who articulated the concern about recent executive orders issued by the President of the United States. The migration orders will have a significant impact on the Irish diaspora. Concerns also arise from Brexit given that we have had a sizeable diaspora in the United Kingdom for centuries. The increase in powers of detention and deportation in the United States are also a serious concern.

As a country with a history of emigration and one of the highest levels of emigration in the world, Ireland has an obligation not only to make the case for Irish emigrants but also to speak about migration more generally. Our history gives us a moral authority and obligation in this regard. When we assumed a leading role in the United Nations summit on migration and refugees in September 2016, we also assumed an obligation to speak in solidarity with all migrants and champion the positive narrative about migration at a global level.

As important as the Taoiseach's forthcoming visit to Washington may be, we must also send people to places such as Boston which the Irish-American mayor, Martin Walsh, has declared a sanctuary city. We must also support Irish migrants in the United States who have championed a positive narrative on migration and ensure this is part of the message we give. I hope the Minister of State will also bring this message to New York and the city of brotherly love, Philadelphia.

Many Irish people in the United Kingdom have partners who are European Union citizens. This gives rise to an interlinking issue not only of protecting the freedom of travel if Irish citizens but also of considering the ability of EU citizens to travel and their security in the UK, as well as recognising that our migrants are integrated, as they should be, in a vast network of people from all over the world.

While it is good to discuss the returning Irish, we must also be honest about the emigrating Irish. I have stated frequently that the unemployment figures do not reflect the hundreds of thousands of people who have emigrated.

I ask the Minister of State to comment on a few specific and practical issues. Resources must be provided to the registry of births, deaths and marriages to support those who are trying to trace their Irish ancestry. Will the Minister of State comment on PRSI and, in particular, pensions for older migrants returning to Ireland? While I welcome the support provided to this group, emigrants returning from Britain face new challenges as a result of Brexit in terms of PRSI and pensions. Will the Minister of State also comment on the impact of the habitual residency condition?

It is important to have political representation and engagement. The university Senators offer emigrants one of few opportunities they have to obtain representation. I encourage emigrants to register for the university panel by 26 February. However, Seanad reform is needed to ensure everyone can have his or her voice heard.

I have benefitted from the J1 and Fulbright scholarship schemes, both of which are very important for our educational institutions. I ask the Minister of State to comment on the schemes and the cultural links and ambassadors who have played a key role.