Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The plight of the undocumented remains a top priority for the Government and in this regard, the publication yesterday of a bipartisan Bill in the US Senate is a very positive development which, if adopted, would help to end the great hardship and uncertainty faced by undocumented Irish in the US and their families here in Ireland. The legislation was drafted over several months by a bipartisan group of eight Senators and includes provisions that would help to resolve the plight of thousands of undocumented Irish people living illegally in the United States. It is also provides for future flows of legal migration between Ireland and the United States.

I am conscious that the overall issues involved are complex and sensitive ones within the US political system and that much further debate is likely to be required before the final shape of any overall legislation becomes clear. The Taoiseach and I have had numerous discussions with proponents of this Bill over many recent months and in particular during the St. Patrick's Day period. I want to acknowledge the supportive role played by Irish organisations in the US in bringing the matter this far. I do not doubt that there is much work and many uncertainties ahead as we strive to bring this work to a conclusion but the determination of this Government to support the inclusion of a new provision to allow several thousand Irish citizens to legally avail of employment opportunities in the US every year, and to address the issues facing the undocumented, should not be in doubt.

I am aware that from time to time concerns are expressed concerning the detention of Irish citizens in the United States prior to deportation. While the official figures available to us indicate that the numbers of undocumented Irish being detained and deported have not increased significantly in recent years, and we have not received any recent indications to suggest that detention conditions for Irish people in such situations have been problematic of late, I am aware that the anxiety and stress which detention and deportation cause is very real. This is why it remains the Government position to strongly discourage anyone considering moving to the US without legal status.

I am aware of a report in the Irish ethnic media in the US suggesting that US Immigration and Customs Enforcement has engaged in a sweep of undocumented Irish in Boston. The ICE, however, has confirmed that it does not engage in indiscriminate raids against potential undocumented communities. Our missions in the United States have not recorded any recent significant increase in numbers. The Deputy has outlined a particular case and if he gives me the details of that case, I will have the Department and relevant consulate investigate further. In March 2013. there were nine Irish people in detention for immigration violations, while in February 2013 there were seven. Our missions in the United States provide consular assistance to Irish nationals who have been detained and are awaiting deportation. We seek to minimise the detention period, and have also assisted in expediting the deportation process where there have been particular medical or other humanitarian issues.

I want to underline the Government's commitment to sustaining support for our emigrants overseas and for the many young Irish people who have left in recent years. There is no more tangible expression of this support than the emigrant support programme, which has sustained support for frontline organisations working to address the needs of emigrants, notwithstanding the current budgetary pressures.

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