Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I discussed immigration reform with President Obama and he is open on the issue. It is a difficult domestic issue in the United States for many reasons and there are many caucuses apart from the Irish caucus that have an interest in it. Finding a comprehensive approach to immigration reform is the best way forward in terms of engaging the Administration and, most importantly, Congress, because Congress determines the laws in these matters as well as whatever initiatives emanate from the Obama Administration.

One of the issues that has emerged from the debate is the need for the American public to feel reassured about the safety of its borders. When there is public confidence on that issue, the question of dealing with those who have travelled to the United States illegally might be addressed in a more positive way than is possible at present. We have been making certain initiatives regarding short-term visas as a means of keeping the item on the agenda and also of finding a pragmatic way forward which might not sort out the question of illegal immigrants in the near term, because that must be dealt with more comprehensively, but at least it indicates that progress can be made on this issue generally. The strategic review we outlined provides ideas on which we will continue to work.

On opening additional consulates in the United States, other economic hubs have been built up since the 1930s when we first established our physical locations in the country. The southern United States offer obvious opportunities and Atlanta and Houston would be regarded as places where we should have a consular presence. Atlanta is the location of the headquarters of Coca Cola which made a €300 million investment in Wexford recently. That is a first choice and can be developed from within existing resources.

When I was Minister for Foreign Affairs, I instigated a review of the emigration question. A full report was published under the chairmanship of Paddy O'Hanlon that recommended the establishment of an unit for the Irish abroad, bringing various departmental activities within the scope of the Department of Foreign Affairs and that has proved to be a great success. It is a small unit and it is very well run and administered. All of the welfare groups have seen a sea change in terms of the cohesion and coherence of the approach to the issues they deal with in these communities, particularly in Britain, the United States and Australia. That unit has proven its worth.

There has been in the past the ability to provide increased resources to many of these welfare organisations. I met them myself. During my trip to New York in July 2008, I attended a function attended by many elderly people who have been in the United States for many years. Some of them still live in the neighbourhoods that were traditionally Irish in the past but are no longer as strongly connected to Ireland. Many of them maintain good connections through their own initiatives, activities and involvement in Irish organisations down the years. Welfare organisations also have effective outreach initiatives that ensure people who are now living alone or who do not have the same family support are assisted and helped in every possible way, including through social networks. This is all important work and has less to do with resources than with the fact that there are many highly motivated people who are committed to the Irish community in America and who have developed and maintained these organisations to great effect.

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