Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 1: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, following the United States mid-term elections, his Department has made renewed contact with the relevant authorities in the US to support the Kennedy and McCain immigration reform proposals; the position with regard to these proposals; the steps being taken by his Department to bolster the chances of these proposals coming into effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39720/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The welfare of the undocumented Irish in the United States is an issue of the highest priority for the Government. I continue to raise our concerns in all my dealings with key figures in the US Administration and Legislature, including during a wide-ranging discussion which I had recently with the new US Ambassador.

In the period since the mid-term elections, I have written to a number of senior US legislators to congratulate them on the outcome of the elections. In doing so, I have taken the opportunity to emphasise again the Government's deep interest in the issue of the undocumented. Our ambassador in Washington is also active in highlighting our concerns in his ongoing contacts with the incoming congressional leadership. The consulates are also active on this issue at state level.

I travelled to New York after the elections, where I discussed the prospects for immigration reform with a range of contacts there. I met again with the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform, ILIR, an organisation that is most effective in promoting awareness within the US of the Irish dimension to the undocumented issue. This was the third in a series of meetings that I have had with the ILIR since September and it provided a valuable opportunity to review the position following the elections.

I look forward to a further intensification of the Government's efforts on behalf of the undocumented in the period ahead, in particular with key members of the incoming Congress. Overall, my initial assessment is that the recent elections have given a boost to the prospects for reform, though the issue of comprehensive immigration reform remains difficult and divisive both in Congress and in the United States generally.

In view of this, I greatly appreciate the firm commitment to a comprehensive and sympathetic solution that Senator Kennedy, Senator McCain and others continue to promote. Although the existing legislative proposals will lapse with the outgoing Congress, we can anticipate renewed examination of this important issue in 2007. In particular, I welcome the intention of Senators Kennedy and McCain to bring forward proposals in the incoming Congress that will reflect the approach they have long promoted. The recent reiteration by President Bush of his commitment to comprehensive reform is a further positive contribution to the debate.

The Government's efforts on behalf of our undocumented citizens in the United States will continue to be accorded the highest priority in the critical period ahead.

Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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The outcome of the US mid-term elections has been heartening. The indications from the Democrats that they are in favour of immigration reform show there is hope at last on this matter. I am glad the Minister raised this issue at an early stage in the changeover of power. With the Democrats now in the driving seat, does the Minister envisage real progress on this matter? Does he expect the Democrat Party to give it top priority?

Has the Minister ever broached the subject of a visa exchange programme between the US and Ireland, similar to the one that operates between the US and Chile and the US and Australia? This would not only give Irish people access to the US labour market but would also give American citizens the opportunity to work here.

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Following the election there is undoubtedly a different landscape. A number of the members of both the Democrat Party and the Republican Party who are favourably disposed to immigration reform have been re-elected, some with sizeable majorities. A number of congressmen who were on the other side of the argument and promoted strict border controls suffered in the election. There is a feeling, given the different political landscape, that there will be a better opportunity for reform in the coming months. That is one of the reasons I travelled to the US, including New York recently. I hoped to assess the situation, particularly from Niall O'Dowd and Grant Lally of the ILIR and a number of their officers. I was also anxious to hear from other people who have been involved with this issue.

However, there are some members of the Democrat Party who would not necessarily favour immigration reform. There are a number of reasons for this, not least the issue of labour supply and trade union issues. These have a strong influence in the Democrat Party policy mix. If we can conduct a little preparation work between now and Christmas, which is, in effect, the lame duck session, I hope we will be able to renew the lobbying campaign with some vigour. We discussed how that could be promoted with the ILIR, as well as how that organisation envisages the next few months. I am hopeful there will be substantial progress in that respect in the first half of next year.

With regard to bilateral arrangements, we are examining all the options. However, our primary responsibility and priority is dealing with the undocumented issue once and for all and in a way that will be relatively easy for the people concerned. There are a number of other suggestions regarding bilateral arrangements which might not necessarily assist the undocumented and might make matters even more difficult for them. Our first priority, which is based on the advice we receive from people such as Senator Ted Kennedy and Senator John McCain, is a comprehensive reform package. We will continue to lobby for that.