Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The welfare of the Irish abroad in general and especially the position of undocumented Irish immigrants in the United States remains an important priority for the Government. A resolution of the situation for undocumented Irish immigrants will continue to be pursued by the Government in our ongoing contacts with the US Administration and Congress.

The advice of Ireland's friends and contacts within the US Administration and Congress has long been that comprehensive reform of the US immigration system and procedures is likely to be the only manner by which such a resolution can be achieved. The prospects for such reform would appear to have advanced in the wake of President Obama’s re-election. The emphasis he placed on immigration reform in his inauguration address as well as his subsequent speech on the issue on 29 January and his State of the Union address on 12 February all sent a positive signal in this regard. The indications of emerging bipartisan support for reform in Congress are also encouraging. Although work is under way in the Senate and the House of Representatives, full proposals have not yet been tabled. We will monitor closely any proposals as they emerge in the coming weeks and months.

Through our embassy in Washington and in close liaison with Irish-American community representatives, our contacts with the US Administration and Congress continue with a view to ensuring that the interests and concerns of undocumented Irish immigrants are captured in any future legislative deal in this area that emerges. In this regard, I raised the issue with the then Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during our bilateral meeting on 6 December last and recalled our strong support for comprehensive immigration legislation and the passage of E-3 visas for Irish citizens.

I am currently engaged in a round of telephone discussions with key US Senators to discuss prospects for progress and to underline our ongoing interest in the issue. The Taoiseach discussed immigration reform when he spoke with President Obama to congratulate him on his re-election. The issue will remain a critical element of the Government's engagement with the US authorities, including over the forthcoming St. Patrick's Day period. My programme and that of other members of the Government during that period, while not yet finalised, will include discussions with key political figures on the immigration and with the Irish community groups that provide assistance to the undocumented.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House.

Much further debate and discussion is likely to be required within the US political system as to what any future legislative deal might comprise. It is therefore not possible at this stage to identify an exact timescale in which these may become clear. What I can make clear, however, is that this issue will continue to receive the Government's closest attention over the period ahead.

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