Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

We will not see a comprehensive solution to immigration concerns in the short term because of the complex issues involved and because of the situation in both Houses of Congress in terms of the American Government. Has the Government decided to more or less wait until the possibility or probability of a comprehensive solution happens, which might be a long way down the line, and in the meantime is there advice that can be given to undocumented young Irish people from all over the country who are living from day to day in an anxious state in the US? Or is the Government moving to a point where it wants to follow up on a bilateral arrangement between Ireland and the US?

Second, a scheme was to be introduced by the Minister for Foreign Affairs which was to result in up to 10,000 US visas being available. I understand the take-up under that scheme has been poor with only a few hundred having applied. Is there a reason for that or does the Taoiseach have any information to indicate why this scheme was such a failure?

See this speech in context