M J Nolan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)

I wish to share time with Deputy Curran.

Like previous speakers, I am pleased to note the all-party agreement on this motion. I cannot see how it could be any other way. The Government and committees of this House have made strenuous efforts over the past five years and have had occasion to travel to the United States and have lobbied on behalf of the undocumented Irish. I was disappointed the efforts made by Senator Ted Kennedy last year and earlier this year were unsuccessful. We were all hopeful that significant progress would be made in regularising the undocumented Irish.

A total of 11 million workers in the United States are undocumented and the Irish element is a total of approximately 20,000 to 25,000. The US authorities have told us that they cannot separate the Irish from the other undocumented people even though the Irish make up a small part of the total and even though the Irish have a strong tradition of emigration to the United States. Ireland is connected to the US by nine daily flights, compared to 20 years ago when there was a twice weekly service between the two countries. This gives some idea of the throughput of individuals travelling between the two countries. The last US census figures show that 30 million people claim Irish blood.

I commend the Government and the Department of Foreign Affairs in particular for its support of Irish groups overseas. Our recent prosperity should be celebrated by all Irish people. It is important to recognise and acknowledge the work being done by voluntary groups in the US and in other countries on behalf of Irish emigrants, many of whom in the UK and in Australia and New Zealand may have moved on in years and have fallen on hard times. The Government acknowledges the role of voluntary groups in supporting those individuals. In 2007 the Department has made €15 million available to these groups.

I am pleased there is all-party support for this motion. I encourage the Minister and the Taoiseach to use every opportunity, in particular the opportunity afforded to the Taoiseach on the occasion of St. Patrick's Day celebrations, to continue to lobby senior politicians and the Administration in Washington on behalf of the undocumented Irish. Most Members will be acquainted with individuals who are in the US and who are unable to return for family occasions such as weddings or funerals because they are unclear as to whether they would be allowed re-enter the United States.

I commend the Minister and the Government on the work and I commend the Opposition for the all-party agreement on this motion.

See this speech in context