Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

On the undocumented Irish, the so-called illegal Irish emigrants in the United States, is it possible that the Department of Foreign Affairs would prepare a briefing for the leaders of the Opposition parties on its approach - the steps taken and areas of possible redress identified - to the very serious situation faced by countless Irish people, some of whom have lived in the United States for a longer period than they lived at home? With the growing number of people now displaced as a result of the decline in the economy, it would be helpful, given that we all have engagement with people from the political, administrative and business life of the United States, if were all at least singing from the same hymn sheet and pressing all the right buttons. I ask if this could be done purely and solely in the interest of aiding and abetting the best possible outcome in terms of impacting on the US Administration and those who can help to bring about progress in this particular area. Will the Taoiseach consider arranging such a briefing at the earliest opportunity? It would be very welcome from my point of view.

Is the Taoiseach aware of the growing number of state assemblies, city councils, municipalities and organisations in the United States which have, in recent months, passed resolutions encouraging the pursuit of peaceful and democratic resolution of the issue of partition and encouraging work towards the achievement of Irish reunification? It is certainly a major issue of debate across all of the bodies in question.

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