Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

On behalf of the parents and young people who are being seriously affected by these cuts, I ask the Deputy Leader to facilitate a debate on education with the relevant Minister.

I join Senator O'Reilly in making a plea to the Deputy Leader. I do so in light of the latter's place of birth and what is happening there today, namely, a presidential election. There are thousands of undocumented Irish in the United States and many of them are under genuine pressure. In recent days, for example, I received an e-mail from a person who could not return home for his brother's funeral. The individual in question is not just a statistic. We are dealing with real people. In light of the fact that the American people will go to the polls in massive numbers today, I call for a debate on the undocumented Irish and for a renewed effort on the part of the Government, which has the support of those on this side of the House, in respect of them.

A massive number of new people will be voting in the American presidential election and early voting has proven to be a success. Will the Deputy Leader request that the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government come to the House to debate how we might transform our electoral system——