Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)

The question refers to any such visas and the issue arises in respect of undocumented individuals in the United States unless they left the United States and applied for one of the new visas. The US Government appears to have had a change of policy. It initially prosecuted a line of dealing with all of the undocumented, including millions of Mexicans, who may progress to citizenship. It suggested a bilateral agreement would not be appropriate. Then, it announced it was following a model like the Australian bilateral agreement. The question is entirely appropriate. What is now being proposed in respect of the tens of thousands of people out of status in the United States? Is it the first model, the second model or is the Government concentrating entirely on new applicants from outside the United States, who happen to be Irish?

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