Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy said, the American people have spoken and democratically elected Donald Trump to be their next President. Deputy Brendan Howlin raised, in particular, the issue of immigration reform which, as he said, had featured so prominently in the debate. I confirm to the House that, of course, securing relief for the undocumented Irish in the United States remains an absolute priority for the Government. We have had all along a two-pronged approach to the issue of immigration reform - trying to regularise the status of the undocumented and trying to get a dedicated quota for legal emigration from Ireland. On the former, we have pressed and will continue to press for a solution for the undocumented Irish. We all know of individual cases and the trauma and difficulties for Irish people who find themselves in this position. As the Deputy knows, both he and Ministers in the previous Government consistently raised the issue with their US counterparts at every opportunity. The Minister, Deputy Charles Flanagan, raises it continuously and will continue to do so. Of course, as we well know, a new administration and a new Congress will take time to settle in, but we fully intend to pursue the issue in our contacts with the administration and Congress and encourage and promote realistic possibilities for a solution. The should be in no doubt that this remains a priority. The relationship between Ireland and the United States has a long history and there are many ties that bind us. This will continue to be the case. The relationship between Ireland and the United States is complex and multilayered and based on a shared community, as well as our political and economic ties. Less than 48 hours have passed since the election result was confirmed. We obviously do not know yet the likely composition of the Trump Administration, but, as the Deputy said, the Taoiseach has already made contact and had a preliminary conversation. We will continue to pursue the values we hold dear and the priority issues, of which immigration reform remains an absolute priority.

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