Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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There was a proposal in the Senate legislation that 10,500 E3 visas would be issued every year. We did not push this because it would have been part of the pre-conference. We were told that if a bipartisan approach was taken on the issue, six Bills would be put to the Senate, with one of which most of the undocumented Irish would be happy. If this legislation was referred to the Senate, it would be dealed with in a pre-conference with Senate and Congress leaders. John Boehner, Speaker of the House of Representatives, has said, however, that unless he has a majority, he will not put anything through. That is the obstacle we are up against. It must be remembered that for Tea Party Republicans, immigration reform are red letter words in their states. If they were to mention anything about immigration reform, their chances of being re-elected would be zero. As one Congressman told me, if our Lord our God came looking for a visa, he would refuse Him.