Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

One must judge when to raise matters like this. It was not appropriate in the circumstances in which I found myself to raise a matter like the Pat Finucane case in a mixture of business and politics, as it would have been of considerable interest to the political side but not to the business side. These parties would have told the story of investment in Ireland or heard of the opportunities that exist here.

As the Deputy is aware, when I met Geraldine Finucane and her family in Belfast, I undertook to raise this matter when I got the opportunity. I will do so because, as I have said to the Deputy and others in the House on many occasions, at Weston Park the agreement was that irrespective of what Judge Cory would decide, the two Governments would act. In this jurisdiction, the Smithwick tribunal was set up following the judgment. Judge Cory made a clear recommendation that there should be a public inquiry into the murder of Pat Finucane. I have a difference of opinion with the British Prime Minister on this and, as the Deputy knows, he has appointed a Queen's Counsel to consider the matter. When I met Geraldine Finucane and her family, I undertook to raise this with political representatives in the United States, and I will do so.

With regard to the undocumented, I had a good meeting with representatives of the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform in New York. I also spoke to Senators McConnell and Brown from Boston and I met Senator John Kerry. I spoke to Governor Deval Patrick, who is a close acquaintance of President Obama, about the matter. The Deputy is aware of the efforts being made by Senator Schumer and others. There are two Bills going through the legislative process currently, one from the Democratic side and one from the Republican side. The Democratic end has been sort of cleared but neither side can put this through because they need assistance from each other. Clearly, there are political considerations between New York and Boston and, from a Democratic perspective, the holder of the Senate position in Boston.

There is much conversation and activity between both sides and there is an agreement that it could get through but it would need support from both sides. As I have pointed out, it is not for Ireland to interfere in the wrong place but we would greatly encourage the Senators in putting through this proposition. That would only deal with E3 visas, that is, people who may go to the US in future. Neither Bill going through Congress deals with the limbo in which the undocumented find themselves now. We have discussed that on a number of occasions. As it is a year for presidential elections, I cannot see anything happening of any great significance in respect of the undocumented as it feeds to a much bigger problem for undocumented and illegals from other countries. That brings with it its own political sensitivities, particularly in the southern states in America.

We are very happy to engage with the Irish groups and American politicians in encouraging this work. While I hope that a conclusion can be brought in respect of future E3 visas - that is a good proposition - we will have to revisit after the presidential elections the question of the undocumented, not only for Ireland but other countries as well.

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