Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I move:

"That Dáil Éireann, recognises:

the very difficult situation for thousands of Irish people of undocumented status living and working in the United States;

the difficulties that the undocumented Irish experience because of their irregular legal status and the fear of deportation;

that the undocumented deserve enormous credit for their highly effective public awareness and lobbying campaign in the United States, particularly through the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform;

the ongoing efforts of the Government, members of the Oireachtas and the undocumented Irish themselves to bring this situation to a satisfactory resolution;

the strong economic ties between the island of Ireland and the United States and the contribution that Irish emigrants make to economic, social and cultural life in the US; and

that efforts to pass comprehensive immigration reform in the United States Congress have so far been unsuccessful;

welcomes:

the commitment of the Government and the Oireachtas to finding a satisfactory solution for the undocumented and to creating new reciprocal immigration arrangements between Ireland and the United States aimed at further enhancing our close bilateral relationship; and

the strong support given by many members of the United States Congress to Irish issues, including efforts to resolve the difficulties facing the undocumented;

supports:

ongoing discussions at the highest level with the US Administration and Congress to establish reciprocal bilateral arrangements which would benefit Irish and American citizens seeking to work and travel in our two countries; and

the strong commitment of the Oireachtas and the Government to continued engagement with the US Administration and Congress to resolve the difficulties experienced by the undocumented."

I am delighted that an agreement has been reached between Fine Gael and the Government so that we will not have to divide the House on this motion. It is only fitting given the political significance of this issue that a joint motion was brought.

I wish to share time with Deputies McGinley, Perry, Tom Hayes, Neville, McHugh and Breen, by agreement.

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