Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his response. I acknowledge the role the Irish ambassador to the United States is playing in this. She has been very significant in progressing many of these issues. The appointment of the Minister of State, Deputy Deenihan, in this specific role is significant. While we had hoped for a more expansive programme, what is being progressed is very welcome. Some years ago, Bruce Morrison addressed Members here and pressed home how important it was to have a comprehensive immigration programme in the US. He also pointed out that solving the problem without addressing the need to be able easily to access the US will lead to a recurring problem in the future. It is fundamentally important that we try, in so far as possible. Given that we have significant, very credible and highly influential friends in the US, we need to secure their support to progress this to finality as soon as possible.

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