Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

Yes, I did raise the issue directly with the President and with others. The feeling in the United States is that the best prospect for a solution for the undocumented is through comprehensive immigration reform. President Obama signalled that comprehensive immigration reform remains high on his agenda. I would emphasise that while it is a difficult political issue domestically, the President is committed to finding a solution in a comprehensive immigration proposal. That requires congressional consensus as well, but there is a strong and genuine interest on the President's part to try to deal with this issue within the constraints he must operate under.

Deputy Gilmore referred to the issue of the cultural ambassador. Culture Ireland will organise a season of Irish arts in the United States in 2011, showcasing world-class Irish artists and companies and reinvesting in our unique cultural relationship with America. It will include clusters of events in a range of key cities, including New York, Washington, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, among others. Gabriel Byrne has played a key role in developing the concept for that season. As cultural ambassador, he will be advising Culture Ireland, as well as Irish embassies and consulates in the United States, on creating a dynamic programme of arts, ideas, debate and reflection, which will help to foster a renewed, forward-looking cultural relationship between Ireland and America.

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