Derek Keating (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister for his reply. He has been passionate about this issue for a while. Many families on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean are sad because of the restriction and the inability to travel. I wonder whether the Minister would consider seeking an informal amnesty with the US authorities. We could perhaps have an amnesty for undocumented Irish people living in the United States for five years or more. Many of them have children and they participate in family and community life. If an amnesty could be secured for such people they would be able to participate in a fuller way by paying their taxes and making a wider contribution to the US economy. Is that something the Tánaiste would consider?

See this speech in context