Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour) | Oireachtas source

This is very much a priority for the Government. I do not wish to create false expectations as there have been false dawns on immigration reform and visa related issues in the United States. However, it is clear that positive signals have been made. Speeches by President Obama have been absolutely explicit. He has said he wants to see legislation on the issue. On foot of that, the approach being taken involves me doing a round of telephone conversations with key United States Senators who are involved in the issue. Our embassy in Washington is also very much involved. Both the Taoiseach and I will be in the United States over the St. Patrick’s Day period. We will both be in Washington and we intend to use the opportunity to speak to key political figures and those within the US Administration about the issue. The situation is difficult. It is not for us to predict a timeframe because that is in the hands of the US Legislature. We have got a feel for what is happening and what is possible, certainly from the discussions I have had with United States Senators and Members of Congress.

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