John Cregan (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)

I wish to share my time with Deputies Hoctor and Carty.

Like other speakers I am delighted to welcome this important motion and the all-party agreement it has received. Members on all sides are to be complimented. The Taoiseach, along with the Minister, Deputy Dermot Ahern, started the ball rolling on 17 March when they met President Bush in the White House and flagged this issue as a priority for both our countries to examine. It is fair to say progress has been pretty quick since then.

I was proud to represent my party at the Conference of the Irish Apostolate in the United States earlier this year, as were Members from other parties who worked equally hard. I had the opportunity to visit Capitol Hill quite recently on an all-party delegation led by the Ceann Comhairle. It was a most beneficial trip with successful meetings with Senator McCain whose Bill, co-sponsored by Senator Ted Kennedy, is the subject of this debate. I compliment the Irish diplomatic corps in the US and the Irish ambassador to the US, Mr. Noel Fahey. The Irish apostolate in the US also played a large role, particularly Fr. Hilliard who attended the House earlier this morning and the US ambassador, Mr. Kenny, who has shown a keen interest in the matter and has been helpful and co-operative.

In the Limerick West constituency, no different from any other, I have been lobbied, like my colleagues, by mothers, fathers and siblings of undocumented Irish emigrants in the US. They have lobbied me because of the sheltered lives their sons and daughters must live in the US, with their movements restricted within the US and not being able to leave for weddings, funerals and other family events in Ireland. This is difficult for these individuals. It must be recognised these people have played a large part in building the US. The Minister for Foreign Affairs stated:

These people work hard. They contribute positively to their communities and to their adopted country. They rightly take pride in their achievements. They are anxious to have the opportunity to come out of the shadows and regularise their status. They deserve our support and the support of the Irish people.

I agree with other Members that the way to make progress on this issue is through the McCain-Kennedy Bill. I support the comments of Deputy Ring when he says we must, however, exercise caution. While Senators McCain and Kennedy, Congressman Walsh and others are supportive of this legislation, there are many others in both US Houses who need to be convinced that this is a problem affecting Irish people and the legislation the only solution for them.

If adopted it will open a route for legality for undocumented Irish emigrants. It will regularise their status by allowing them apply for a temporary residency visa. They can then receive work and travel authorisation, coming out the shadows to enjoy greater peace of mind. Significantly, they could travel to and from Ireland without fear of being refused re-entry to the US. They would enjoy greater protection in the workplace and be eligible for health insurance. These proposals would be the ideal solution. However, as we may not get this, we must be cautious. We must work as best we can, continuing our lobbying to ensure these people can be documented and their lives can be changed.

See this speech in context