Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The Minister for Foreign Affairs normally meets Irish groups in New York and Washington, and goes to the hill to meet people to discuss issues of interest to us. However, it was not possible for him to go in September because of the Lisbon treaty referendum campaign. He has taken the opportunity to do so this week. I am sure that he will meet some of the immigration reform groups because this is a perennial issue with which the embassy deals.

The US Secretary of State, Mrs. Clinton, mentioned it when she was here. She said in a public comment that the Obama Administration is addressing this matter and that it needs to be done comprehensively because it is a difficult and sensitive issue in the United States and in Congress. There is a continuing effort to build a consensus on how to deal with it. We have met people who have come here to discuss that issue. The Minister will see how we can constructively assist the debate so that we can try to deal with the matter as it affects us and our people.

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