Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

The Government attaches the highest priority to the issue of the undocumented Irish in the United States. In all our contacts with US political leaders, we emphasise the importance of addressing the situation in a positive and sympathetic way. In this regard we welcome the engagement of President Bush on this issue and his support for a humane approach which involves reform as well as enforcement. The Deputy can be assured that the Taoiseach and I look forward to discussing this issue when next we meet President Bush, hopefully over the St. Patrick's Day period.

In raising this matter with our US contacts, we appreciate that immigration is a highly sensitive and divisive issue. The current legislative debate in the US Congress involves differing approaches and strongly held opinions. Some members of the US Congress, for example, are opposed to any proposals which would allow undocumented people the opportunity to regularise their status. It is clear that achieving the necessary compromise remains a formidable challenge.

As the Deputy is aware, the US Senate has before it a number of proposals. Indications are that the Senate Committee on the Judiciary will discuss the immigration issue again in early March. The proposals before it include the Bill sponsored by Senators Kennedy and McCain as well as the Kyl-Cornyn Bill and a compromise text proposed by Senator Specter, chairman of the committee.

Deputies can be assured that in all my meetings with US contacts, including the Secretary of State, Dr. Condoleezza Rice, and key congressional figures, I made known the support of the Government and the Oireachtas for the approach favoured by Senators Kennedy and McCain. Their Bill has also been strongly endorsed by the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform, a group established in December to mobilise grassroots support within the Irish community in the US for immigration reform. I welcome the establishment of this organisation. I encouraged the formation of such an organisation and recently approved a grant of €30,000 towards its operational expenses.

The Deputy can be assured the Government will continue to lobby intensively on this issue in the critical period ahead, again emphasising our strong support for the inclusion of the key elements of the Kennedy-McCain Bill in any final compromise legislation. I welcome and support the committee of the Houses that will shortly go to America. The Taoiseach and I will convey this view at the highest level in Washington over the St. Patrick's Day period.

See this speech in context