Mr. Ciarán Staunton:

I have met with most members in the past regarding the undocumented issue. As they will imagine, nothing is going on at present in respect of it. Ms Kennelly and Ms Leonard Dibra will back me up in that we do not see anything coming down the pipeline on the issue, not under this Administration. We do not see much hope for a future Administration because it now looks like the other party could take over both Houses. In the context of that issue and with Covid, we see more people returning home.

One of the major issues is that of the driver's licence. We know there are others but this is one that is Government-resolved. We see what it has done in respect of seven provinces in Canada, where the Irish Government has been bilateral. It could start that process in the United States by picking New York, California, Pennsylvania or Illinois and doing some of those. Most of the people returning from the US are not dependent on the Government but they need drivers' licences and the independence to get around. Most of them are going home with some money. We have seen in the past that it has been a priority with regard to other countries. There are about a dozen bilateral agreements right now. We think this should be looked into.

I also echo what was said about the matter of returning Irish emigrants being dealt with by a permanent subcommittee of this committee. It would be very important because emigrants are coming now and the issue is being dealt with by various committees. We know an interdepartmental committee was set up and we know about the Indecon 2018 report. We believe we should get to a situation where emigrants are tied in tighter so that, when they return, they do not do so not knowing what Department to go to. I would like to see that.

If there are any questions on the issue of the undocumented, both Ms Leonard Dibra and Ms Kennelly will answer them. Unfortunately, I have to run to catch a flight. There is no white smoke coming from Washington on this issue, not now or in the not-so-distant future, unfortunately for us. That will put more pressure on more people who are going back. As I said, the driver's licence is one of the major issues. I thank everyone very much.