Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour) | Oireachtas source

As I said in my earlier response, the position of the undocumented Irish immigrants in the United States is an important priority for the Government. President Obama has indicated his strong support for progress on comprehensive immigration reform. Work is currently underway in Congress on agreeing the terms of the reform and the indications of emerging bipartisan support for reform are encouraging. In this regard, the Embassy in Washington has intensified its contacts with members of Congress to ensure that the interests and concerns of undocumented Irish immigrants are captured in any future legislative deal in this area that emerges. In addition, I am currently undertaking a round of contacts with key Senators.

I spoke with Senator John McCain on 8 February last to discuss the prospects for progress and to express the Government’s appreciation for the efforts he and others are making in developing bipartisan Senate proposals and to underline our ongoing interest in the issue. I look forward to continuing my contacts with other Senators in the coming weeks.

The Taoiseach and I will be in the United States to fulfil St. Patrick’s Day engagements and we will take every opportunity to discuss this issue further in our contacts at political level.

My Department is also in close and regular contact with the Irish community groups who provide assistance to the undocumented and who are promoting immigration reform.

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