The English Language Students Union of Ireland has highlighted that more than 2,000 people whose stamp 2 visas are due to expire and who want to continue to study here in Ireland are facing having to leave the country for three months and will possibly lose their jobs and accommodation in order to comply with visa requirements. I spoke recently to the labour rights officer of the union, who expressed anxiety that these students are feeling especially around the accommodation issue with the ongoing housing crisis. True to form, the Department of Justice has issued a typically heartless response, saying there are no plans to further extend these visas. That is a nonsensical position to adopt. Will the Taoiseach have a word with the Fine Gael Minister for Justice and ask her to overturn this decision?

The Minister made the point yesterday that there have been nine extensions in recent years. There has to some framework governing the issuing of visas and the expiry dates relating to them. Nine is a fairly significant number of extensions. I will discuss the matter again with the Minister.