Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Naughten will be aware from his experience of how this operates in the United States in terms of having two Houses that function, both Senate and Congress. Given what is happening there at the moment, where there is a degree of polarity between the two Houses and the two major parties, I do not see it happening. I might be wrong and I hope I am.

President Obama made his executive decision, which is quite limited. It was blocked in the Houses afterwards. I met Speaker Boehner, Representative McConnell, Representative Reid, Representative Leahy, the Friends of Ireland and so on and made this case very strongly. Some of the politicians would say they would see an opportunity to tag one element of a bill onto another, which could go through the House but then they may not have the votes, and it is a question of whether they could get a certain number of Democrats or Republicans. It has not worked with Speaker Boehner in situand, with respect to them all, I do not see it moving along now.

The Minister, Deputy Flanagan, met Representative Jim Sensenbrenner in another attempt to get E3s. I hope that yields some progress. There is the facility that Australia never used up all its visas, and perhaps these might be transferable to another country. That might not be possible. It might be taken as a poor signal from one country that has not used up all the visas allocated to it, but we have personnel who could do that.

I will tell Deputy Naughten something else. I am very concerned now at what is purported to be happening in respect of J1 visas. Deputy Naughten will be aware that approximately 7,500 of our young people go to America every year on a J1 visa. This represents an extraordinary opportunity for young people to experience American life, the personality of America, the experience of working in America and to make new contacts. Obviously, this brought its own tragedy in Berkeley earlier this year. Anyway, because of a series of issues that have arisen, the authorities that issue J1 visas seem to be bent on introducing a requirement for pre-employment for young people before they go. I am unaware of the extent of the paperwork and administration that may be involved, but if that were to happen it could lead to two things. First, a serious reduction in the number of J1 visas granted to Ireland; it could perhaps be down by as much as 60% or 80%. Second, people who travel out on holiday visas may then decide to work illegally, which would only cause trouble for themselves and everyone else afterwards. A number of areas require political clarity about what is required. When I met the US Senator, Mr. McCain, about this matter he said that thousands of workers who come from Mexico might be better having a short-term working visa because many go home to their families when the crops are all in and the harvest is gathered, as the song goes. I think it was a Woody Guthrie song - I am showing my age.

See this speech in context