Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Tánaiste for taking time out of his busy schedule to come to the House to address this important issue.

The Tánaiste will be aware from activity in the consular section of his Department and from international media reports that there seems to be an increased level of activity by the immigration authorities, particularly in the Boston area, targeting the undocumented Irish. This appears to be orchestrated, a worrying development. There are a number of cases, including one of a man originally from my constituency who is entirely law abiding, albeit undocumented. This brings its own difficulties in procuring driving licences and other documentation needed to go about daily life. This gentleman was arrested at 6.30 a.m. when he got up to go out to work. He employs 11 people and is married with two children. He is law abiding in every other way. He has made a life for himself and his family in the Boston area.

It is disappointing that there has been this renewed level of activity in cities like Boston at a time when considerable progress appears to be emerging on Capitol Hill under proposals put forward by President Obama. The Tánaiste has been to the forefront of the campaign since before he assumed his current ministerial role and I have no doubt he has raised the matter in Washington.

Could the Tánaiste make contact with the Office of the President of the United States and others on Capitol Hill to see if something can be done to find a level of amnesty for these people prior to the passage of the legislation so they are not being rounded up in advance of the solution they have been waiting for? This gentleman is now in a federal prison and it is not clear when he will get out. There was a time when undocumented immigrants were put on the first flight home and at least people knew where they stood. In this instance, my contacts tell me this person could be in prison for two months or more. That is huge uncertainty for him, his wife and his family. They are at their wits' end and do not know what to do.

We must have a two-pronged approach to this. We must deal with the immediate issue for this individual and then see if we can get some assistance from the federal administration to calm down what seems to be overzealous activity in light of the fact that, at long last, a solution is in sight.

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