Since he formally took office as President of the United States, we have had a flavour of the new White House policy under Mr. Donald Trump. Yesterday, he signed executive orders to build a wall along the US border with Mexico and to crack down on cities which shield undocumented immigrants. Late last night, in a flagrant disregard for all international human rights protocols, the President said that torture works. It is extremely worrying that some of the most dangerous and divisive rhetoric heard during the US election campaign is now being followed through with actions.

Let us be clear. It is not for us here to judge who the US people choose as their President. That is the prerogative of American citizens. They have made their choice and we respect that but we can and should voice our concerns when there is a blatant disregard for all generally acceptable political behaviour. As a party of equality, Sinn Féin has no truck with misogyny, racism or homophobia.

What about the fund-raisers?

I do not think the Minister needs to be reminded that the issues at play here are very serious.

Has the Deputy got something to say?

The Taoiseach will be in the White House-----

Sinn Féin will have to give the money back.

Trump went to the Sinn Féin fund-raiser.

The Taoiseach will be in the White House in a matter of weeks on St. Patrick's Day. This is a very important day for the Irish in America. Will the Minister tell me what message the Taoiseach will convey to the US President on our behalf on all of these matters? A particular focus of the Government, as we have said before here, has been the very real issue of the estimated 50,000 undocumented Irish citizens in the United States. These concerns were voiced yesterday by Ciaran Staunton, the president of the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform in the US. The new Administration's stated desire to tackle so-called sanctuary states is deeply alarming. The Irish International Immigrant Center in Boston said yesterday that President Trump's actions could contribute to a growing anti-immigrant sentiment in the US. The Irish Government has raised the issue of the undocumented in the past and I appeal to it to persist in this in the time ahead. Irish America has always been the bridge between this island and policy-makers in Washington and there is alarm there just as there is here. It is imperative that efforts to resolve the plight of the undocumented Irish living in the US continue. I urge the Government to adopt a stance with the President that reflects that need. We also need to hear the Taoiseach articulate the politics of upholding equal and respectful treatment of all across the globe regardless of race, gender, background or sexual orientation. What message will the Taoiseach bring to the White House and what efforts will be made in respect of the undocumented?

Will he send back the cheque?

The Minister, Deputy Bruton, has three minutes.

I thank Deputy McDonald for the question.

Sending back the cheque is the first step.

The Minister, without interruption.

The first thing is that Ireland's priority in dealing with any Government, whether newly elected or otherwise, is to ensure we serve the interests of Irish citizens. We have had long trading, political and social connections with the United States and they continue to be really important to us in terms of employment, social connection and the political handling of issues such as the one the Deputy raised on the undocumented Irish. We deal with countries with whose politics we do not always agree. In terms of pursuing the interests of Irish citizens, we have to be conscious that in every state, people will select people whose policies we do not all agree with. Ireland upholds the highest standards in all international organisations in terms of the protection of rights and so on and it will continue to do so.

Specifically on the issue of the Irish undocumented, there have been meetings, as the Deputy knows, between the Taoiseach and the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Flanagan, and representatives of the US Government at all levels, including the Houses of Congress, the Senate and the Administration. Those will continue to be pursued because it is a really important area of public concern for our citizens, which the Government has an obligation to pursue. We will continue to do that. We will support organisations that deliver front-line services and community care to Irish emigrants in those situations through emigrant support programmes and otherwise.

The Deputy expressed concerns about some of the campaigning that occurred and some of the policies that might ensue. Our primary interest is to make sure that in some of these new policy directions, we work to ensure that Irish citizens' interests are protected. There are changes in many areas including migration policy, tax policy and at home. These are elements on which we need to be alert to the potential implications for us. I assure the Deputy that all parts of the Government are very alert to those elements. It will protect Irish interests, the interests of Irish people and will work with the new Administration and the wider interests on Capitol Hill, which remain a fundamental part of long-term decision-making. The US constitution contains the concept of balance of power and it is important that we relate to all sections of the administration and democratic representation within the US. If we pursue that, as the Taoiseach has done consistently, we will protect the interests of Irish citizens and, in particular, the undocumented Irish for whom Deputy McDonald has expressed a particular concern.

The Minister does not have to convince me of the value of our relationship with the United States or with Irish America.

It has been financially very beneficial.

Sinn Féin should send it back to Trump.

Those who have kept-----

Was that a brown envelope-----

The Deputy, without interruption from any side.

I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle. I shall begin arís and with feeling, if the Fianna Fáilers can contain themselves. The Minister does not have to convince me of the value of that relationship. Irish America has kept faith with this country and has been a valuable advocate, not least in respect of the Irish peace process. I am glad to hear the issue of the undocumented is high on the list of political priorities. Efforts and supports for emigrants in the United States need to be stepped up. This issue must be raised with President Trump. I refer to the 50,000 people for whom a return journey home for any family occasion such as funerals or births is impossible. We know their plight is very serious. I will reiterate, with absolute respect to the American electorate who have exercised their democratic right, it is very important that the Taoiseach is explicit in expressing the values that we, as Irish people, hold.

The reason I am running over time is because those in the Fianna Fáil benches-----

I have allowed for that.

-----were so ignorant and disruptive.

I have allowed for that.

I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for that.

I assure the Deputy the Government will take every opportunity to present that case. The Minister, Deputy Flanagan, will be in Washington at the end of the month. The ambassador, Anne Anderson, has already convened a stakeholder meeting in respect of the concerns that Ireland has in respect of Irish immigrants. The President has extended an invitation to the Taoiseach, and the Vice President will be hosting the traditional St. Patrick's Day events. This is an opportunity for Ireland to exercise influence on the incoming Administration, as well as continuing to maintain the important contacts that have been a very important element of the Irish-US relationship over many years. New directions present challenges for us but we have seen that Ireland has been able and resilient in adapting to changes. We will prove again that in this situation we will adapt to the new environment and protect our citizens effectively though diplomatic and direct political channels.