Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for that outline. For the purpose of the discussions the Taoiseach will have with President Trump, is the Minister exploring other options? The Obama plan for overall immigration reform is dead in the water under the new Administration and we cannot wait for a change in administration to find a new tack. Might there be reciprocal visa arrangements such as a bilateral arrangement between Ireland and the United States similar to that in place between Australia and the United States whereby the undocumented Irish could apply for some kind of temporary legal status?

The fact they are undocumented or illegal in America would not preclude them from applying. Are we looking at reciprocal visa arrangements or are we waiting for overall immigration reform in the United States? I put it to the Minister that we should move ahead with a specific bilateral deal with the US, or at least the possibility of such a deal.

See this speech in context