Dúirt an Cathaoirleach ina chuid fhocal maidir leis an gCléireach nua-cheaptha gur onóir mhór é an ceapachán seo do chlann Martin Groves agus dó fhéin, ach is onóir mhór dúinne é a leithéid de Martin a bheith ceaptha sa ról mar Chléireach.

It is a huge honour for us that Mr. Martin Groves has been appointed Clerk of the Seanad. He has been exemplary in his work to date and very supportive of every Senator across the board. I congratulate him and look forward to working with him in his new role.

I have called regularly for a debate with the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade with responsibility for the diaspora, Deputy Joe McHugh, which we have not had yet. I concur with many of the sentiments expressed. What role is the aforementioned Minister of State playing in this scenario? We need an urgent debate with him within the next seven days, if possible, because there are two major international issues looming, one being Brexit and the other being the situation in the USA, which is changing daily. We need to know what role the Minister, the Minister of State and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade are taking in supporting the diaspora across the board but most particularly in Britain and the United States. What steps are being taken to look after their rights as Irish citizens? It is a little ironic that Fianna Fáil is now calling for the establishment of a working group because when it came to supporting votes for the diaspora, it was not so quick to respond. It is important that we have a good debate with the Minister or the Minister of State, which has not happened to date.

The issues being raised about the treatment of people who come from different backgrounds, religions and countries and so forth should lead us to point the finger at ourselves and ask how we are treating both migrants and those seeking asylum in this country. We still have the absolute scandal of a direct provision system which should be dismantled. I would certainly welcome a debate on that issue.

On the question of migrants, I have been doing quite a bit of work recently in Galway with people working in the hospitality industry. It is very clear to me from the work I am doing there that we have people involved in that industry, especially migrants, who are being very seriously abused. A debate on working conditions in the hospitality industry is overdue. It is very important that we have such a debate to ensure we can address abuses of all types, be they contractual or related to working conditions, as well as physical, sexual or verbal.

While I have called on the Leader to schedule a number of debates, it is imperative that we have a debate within the next week with the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs with responsibility for the diaspora.

I join my colleagues in offering the warmest of congratulations to Mr. Martin Groves who has been exemplary in the support he has given to us all, especially the Senators who are new to the Chamber. I wish him every happiness in and enjoyment of his new role and know that he will perform it wonderfully.

I am not going to reiterate all of the points made about concerns about the executive order, one of a number of very concerning executive orders issued by the new President of the United States of America. The executive order, commonly known as the Muslim ban, has been of particular concern because it has immediate relevance for Ireland. While we can talk about symbolic protests against it, we also need very concrete action in Ireland in how we respond to an executive order which is not just discriminatory but which is also very much designed to sow division. As someone who was an immigrant in America in the past, I am very much aware of the spirit of inclusion and diversity that is at the heart of what has made and grown that country.

There are concerns about the Aviation (Preclearance) Act of 2009 which very clearly requires compatibility with Irish law. It is imperative that there be urgent action to ensure what is happening in airports is compliant with our UN obligations to refugees, the European Convention on Human Rights and our own laws, particularly in respect of national origin and ensuring equality on that basis. If we cannot be satisfied in that regard, we must consider whether we can continue the pre-clearance facilities. We have seen widespread opposition, led in many cases by Irish-Americans in the United States, including the Mayor of Boston, Mr. Marty Walsh, who led one of the initiatives in respect of cities of sanctuary. I urge the Taoiseach and other Ministers to visit Boston and engage with Mr. Walsh. That would be a constructive measure and show solidarity with the Irish-Americans whom Mr. Walsh and others are representing.

I was part of the Irish branch at the women's march in Washington where we saw the growing opposition in the United States.

We are seeing a very systematic silencing of opposition, about which we need to be very robust. I refer, for example, to what has happened in the case of the National Parks Service, the global gag rule, etc. There has been a diminution of checks and balances which has allowed Mr. Steve Bannon, an individual about whom I am concerned and to whom I referred previously in the House, to have been recommended for membership of the National Security Council. In that context and the context of statements made in recent months on torture, I ask that we review the position on the use of Shannon Airport. Valid concerns have been raised about the US military's use of it and the need to address them is more urgent than ever.

When the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade comes before the House, as requested by my colleague, Senator Ivana Bacik, I ask that he also address the European Union's immigration policy and the partnership framework agreements we are making with countries such as Afghanistan on repatriation. There is a real concern that the European Union needs to observe the highest standards of transparency and equality in its migration policies. I request that we have a debate on this matter, the agreement between the European Union and Turkey and other agreements.

I join others in congratulating Mr. Martin Groves. It is an excellent appointment and I wish him well in the post.

I, too, condemn President Trump's actions in the strongest possible terms. I do not want to repeat what has been said, but we in this country need to do everything in our power to influence the repeal of the relevant executive order, which is just astonishing. The world is truly shocked. Regarding the invitation to the White House, it is more important than ever that we avail of such diplomatic opportunities. There is no other place the Taoiseach should be on our national holiday.

On pre-clearance facilities, as Senator Alice-Mary Higgins said, we need to look at the legalities. However, we must also be very careful not to put the issue on the table in negotiations because the provision of pre-clearance facilities is something for which we are envied. We must, by all means, be happy in carrying out that function, but we also need to be extremely careful before we put the issue on the table. There is a queue of other countries waiting to have pre-clearance facilities, particularly as they lead to a greater influx of people into a jurisdiction.

I have raised on many occasions the issue of alcohol consumption. A recent study in The Lancet placed Ireland in the top five countries in the world for the highest estimated alcohol intake during pregnancy. The study concludes that 60% of Irish births show evidence of alcohol consumption during pregnancy and that one in every 67 mothers who consumes alcohol during pregnancy will deliver a child with fetal alcohol syndrome. Fetal alcohol syndrome can cause problems with neurological development and growth and may result in learning difficulties and other such problems for children. The findings are truly alarming. Prevention is obviously very easy and requires greater awareness and education. I call on the Minister, to whom I have written, to consider the issue. In the light of the report to which I refer, clearly we have much to do. It is no big boast to say Ireland is in the top five countries for alcohol consumption during pregnancy.

I join others in congratulating Mr. Martin Groves on his appointment. I have no doubt that he will be a huge success in the position.

I refer to the availability of substitute school teachers at primary and secondary level. School principals throughout the country are reporting having to make 20 or 30 telephone calls to try to get teachers to step in when needed, unfortunately without success. The issue is causing serious problems at primary and secondary level. When a school cannot find a substitute to stand in for a teacher who is absent, a number of things must happen. Sometimes a class is divided and that causes disruption for students. Teachers cannot attend in-service days and principals are sometimes obliged to stand in for colleagues. Smaller schools are particularly badly hit, especially those with fewer than three teachers. Principals have no choice but to use their learning support or resource teachers to cover classes. This means that those who need the most help are, unfortunately, being discommoded and left out. Ultimately, they are the ones who lose out.

The situation is very frustrating, given that the first cohort of newly qualified teachers with four years of training behind them completed their studies last year. Unfortunately, other countries are benefiting from the expertise of this country's teachers and nurses who have been educated to a very high standard but who are jumping on aeroplanes to travel to Dubai or the United Kingdom. It is a very unsatisfactory situation for the Minister to be overseeing and I would like it to be addressed for once and for all in order that children do not lose out.

I join everybody else in congratulating Mr. Martin Groves on his appointment as Clerk of the Seanad. I am probably one of the Senators who depend most on him. My dependence on him is almost palpable. The only fear I have about his appointment is that my direct line to him might be severed.

I am sure it will not be. Mr. Groves cannot speak while the House is in session.