This is a particularly happy day for the American people. I wish President Obama and his lovely wife, Michelle, well. It was a great achievement to become the 44th President of the United States of America. He received tremendous support from the Irish Diaspora and family members in America supported him warmly because he was an excellent President. This morning he made an inspirational acceptance speech in which he welcomed immigrants from all over the world to the land of the free and the brave. There are 40 million Irish-Americans and the Irish helped to build America.

He did not say that at all.

This might be more appropriate to a debate in Congress. Is the Deputy calling for a debate on the issue?

If the Government has its way, this will be our last opportunity to welcome the election of an American President. We are on death row. It is significant, therefore, that the Seanad is able to congratulate President Obama. I acknowledge that the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade will press the issue of the undocumented Irish. The Taoiseach who will be President of Europe from 1 January will be in a unique position to progress this agenda. Many Members of this House have valiantly worked on the issue and we should renew our efforts.

I commend my colleague, Senator Mary White, for ensuring proper signposts will be erected on the M7. As a Member of this House, she led a campaign to have erected the signs to Moneygall, with the National Roads Authority and Fáilte Ireland.

The Senator is out of time.

To support The Gathering next year we should work with Henry Healy to extend a further céad míle fáilte to President Obama and ask him to return to his roots in Ireland in order that we can have a real gathering in Moneygall.