Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour) | Oireachtas source

We must understand that immigration has been a big political issue in the United States for a long time. It is perfectly understandable that the issue of immigration will be linked to issues of border security and to security generally, given what the United States experienced just over a decade ago. We must be mindful of that. That is the approach that will be taken to this issue.

While the issue of comprehensive immigration reform has been on the political agenda in the United States for a long time, it got renewed momentum following the presidential election. I do not want to exaggerate that renewed momentum but clear statements have been made by the President of the United States of his desire to see reforming legislation. That is now occupying the minds of certain key members of the Senate and House of Representatives who have an interest in this area and with whom we are in contact.

Deputy Crowe asked what would be helpful. Many Members of the House, from all parties and Independents Members, have contacts on Capitol Hill and with American political figures. It would be helpful if Members were to reactive those contacts where they exist and use them to communicate what is generally agreed here, which is that we want to see an immigration regime that will regularise the positions of the 50,000 or so Irish people who are living in the United States and are not documented, and who are in a very difficult set of circumstances. They cannot come back for family events, as Deputy Smith said earlier.

Where Deputies are making such contacts, I ask that they liaise with me and keep me informed about what is happening. We need to do this in a co-ordinated way. My Department and I are leading this effort. It is, therefore, important that we know about any contacts that are being made, are given the heads-up on where progress might be made and that we work in a co-ordinated way on behalf of Irish people in the United States.

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