Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Leader for having the special debate on gambling after a number of requests on my part. We had a good promise from the Minister on foot of the last debate. Will the Leader update me on when we might have a gambling regulator and the gambling control legislation ?

I raised on another occasion the question of E-3 visas for undocumented Irish in America. Can the Leader give me an update on progress there?

I turn to the question of Belarus. At the moment, there are 461 prisoners in Belarus who are deemed to be political prisoners. We have extraordinary stories of brutality, barbarism and subhuman conditions since the questionable elections which were found to be fraudulent. The leader of the opposition has a strong Irish connection and has lived in Ireland. I believe she has a connection to Tipperary. I express my appreciation to my colleague, Senator Ward, for his articulate support on this issue over the past year. I commend a person I was in college with, Turlough Deenihan, for his voluntary work in this area. I sponsored a prisoner in Belarus with him.

Will the Leader comment on the Belarusian situation? Can we have a debate on it or get an update on progress made? Can we even once again condemn the brutality there and the fact that people who engaged in peaceful protest remain incarcerated and call for their release?