I reiterate that today we should remember the terrible tragedy that occurred in Berkeley last year. It is every parent's nightmare when their children travel to the United States on J1 visas to seek employment for the summer. We all receive calls and everybody tries to help. I compliment the Irish centres, especially those in California, that rallied around the parents when they came last year after all the people mentioned had been killed and injured. They deserve incredible support. Senators may know that there are problems with the J1 visa programme this year as students must be pre-employed before being issued with visas. That is wrong and, from what I gather, the process was initiated by one or two agencies. I do not believe what they are doing is legal and I am certainly looking into the matter. It is one for further debate at some stage.

I will read a letter that I received last night. It is from the White House and states:

Dear Billy,

Please accept my congratulations on your appointment to the Seanad.

As I have noted before, your story is a powerful one and it reflects the enduring ties of friendship between the peoples of the United States and Ireland. In beginning this new chapter, I trust you will reflect on all that has led you to this point with tremendous pride.

Again, congratulations. You, Anne and Billy have my warm regards,

Sincerely,

The letter was signed by President Barack Obama. I read it not for self-congratulation but to highlight the importance of the ties between Ireland and the United States.

Ag leanúint, ar bhealach, leis an téama sin, ba mhaith liom a bheith ceangailte leis na mothúcháin atá luaite ag na Seanadóirí Horkan agus Lawless maidir leis an dream óg a maraíodh in Berkeley agus an dream óg a d'fhulaing in Berkeley agus an dream ar fad timpeall orthu a thug tacaíocht agus mar sin dóibh.

It would be very good to have a debate on the diaspora. I agree with Senator Billy Lawless that there are concerns about the reform of the J1 visa programme. I was concerned about statements made by the Minister of State, Deputy Joe McHugh, on cherry-picking the emigrants he wanted to attract back to Ireland. If there is a pick-up in the economy, as we are told, it is important that people be invited and encouraged to come back and that we make the environment suitable for that to happen. I am concerned that the Minister of State was speaking about cherry-picking engineers and professionals with degrees, etc. The diaspora is so diverse; there are many Irish people across the globe and many issues that must be discussed. It would be good to know what his vision is for the role. There are serious matters to be addressed, including representation in the Houses, voting rights and how we work to help the undocumented Irish abroad, etc. Irish people abroad need us to address issues of that nature in the House. It is good to have Senator Billy Lawless here to represent that cohort. I know that there are many groups that are in contact with us regularly. A debate on issues concerning the diaspora would, therefore, be very pertinent.