Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

That is an issue on which we campaign all of the time. The Irish Embassy in Washington is very active on the Capital Hill in that regard. As Deputy Kenny will appreciate, it is a very difficult issue on the domestic agenda of the United State. President Obama, when I last met him on St. Patrick's Day in March, gave a strong commitment on his view that this was an issue that needed to be address but one understands that prior to the November elections the political situation is not conducive to getting the matter dealt with, certainly, on a bipartisan basis or, indeed, in any way.

The issue is prioritised in all Government contacts with the US Administration. We continue to focus on what is a three-pronged strategy - the reciprocal working holiday arrangement agreement which is now working successfully, the new bilateral arrangements to provide reciprocal long-term E3 working visas, and a solution for the undocumented.

President Obama has made his commitment to comprehensive reform clear and, in his address on the issue delivered in Washington on 1 July, he signalled his willingness to move forward and shape what he called "a practical, common-sense approach". Clearly, we would like to see a comprehensive resolution to this issue at the earliest opportunity. However, the status of the undocumented can only be changed by virtue of legislation passed by both Houses of Congress and it is not merely a matter of bilateral engagement between the two Governments. It remains a highly sensitive political issue and very considerable challenges remain.

On 30 September, prior to the current congressional recess, Senator Robert Menendez published an immigration reform Bill that includes an E3 provision for Ireland. Although the publication of this Bill is only the first step in a long process, the inclusion of an E3 scheme at this stage is an important achievement for the Government and the Irish community.

The Government maintains close contact with the Irish community and immigration reform groups, as the Deputy will know. We met the Irish lobby for immigration reform while in the US last March and with immigration reform groups during my recent New York trip. The Minister for Foreign Affairs meets such groups regularly when he is in the US, including during his recent visit to New York for the UN General Assembly session.

Practical support is provided through the Government's emigrant support programme. Since 2006 the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform has received grants worth $325,000, and $20,000 has been provided to the Chicago council for immigration reform over the past two years.

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