Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I thank the Deputy for his comments. I raised the question of the undocumented Irish with President Obama. This issue was discussed at Question Time previously. The president is still hopeful of comprehensive legislation on immigration to the United States. He made the point that it was not purely a Hispanic problem and by travelling to both Ireland and Poland he indicated his wish and desire that the matter of undocumented Irish and other persons would be dealt with. Obviously, there are political difficulties in respect of Capitol Hill and how the balance of political power has changed so much during his tenure of office. In so far as the Government is concerned, we will continue to engage with the American representatives on this sensitive matter which is a growing concern for those Irish directly affected.

The effective date for implementation of the change regarding the travel tax is 1 July. As the Deputy is aware, the Government has decided there will be a zero travel tax. There was much comment from airlines about the possibility of bringing in many extra tourists and visitors to Ireland if the tax was abolished. The tax is zero from 1 July and I hope the airlines and all the agencies will make every effort to get as many people as possible to travel to Ireland for a quality, enjoyable experience. This will be further evidence of the beneficial consequence of the visits of both the Queen of England and the American President. The real benefit will not accrue this year, but in years hence, because the message has gone out that Ireland is a land of 100,000 welcomes, a land where a quality and different experience can be had by tourists and where real value in respect of the hard earned money of taxpayers' from other countries which brings them here to enjoy that experience.

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