Due to the close relationship between this country and America, all sides of the House would like to join me in wishing American citizens in this country and in the wider United States a happy 4 July, which is on Friday. Also, in the context of the outstanding performance by the United States team in the World Cup, which sadly went out last night having put up one of the bravest fights anyone has seen in a football game in the World Cup, the team was outstanding and many people in this country adopted the USA because they are, after all, our cousins and we did not have one of our own, particularly after England went out of the World Cup.

Is the Senator looking for a penalty shootout?

We thought it might have gone to a penalty shootout. Who knows what would have happened then? It did not, unfortunately, but I am sure the Deputy Leader would like to convey the good wishes of the House to the new ambassador, Mr. O'Malley, and raise with the Tánaiste and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade ongoing negotiations on the J1 graduates visa, which is due to expire in October after a five-year cycle. My understanding is there is optimism that the visa will be renewed. It is different from the standard student J1 visa and allows graduates, under certain eligibility criteria, to work in the United States on an exchange programme for a minimum of one year. The problem is that many employers in the US are reluctant to take on Irish graduates for a one-year period so I understand negotiations focus on extending it to a two-year term. This will be of great benefit, particularly to graduates who wish to gain overseas work experience and bring it back to this country for the benefit of this economy. Perhaps the Deputy Leader can raise the matter with the Tánaiste and get an update on current negotiations on the renewal and possible extension of the visa.