Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 6: To ask the Taoiseach Taoiseach when he next expects to visit the United States; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30223/10]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 7: To ask the Taoiseach Taoiseach if he will convene a meeting of the Ireland-America Economic Advisory Board during his next visit to the United States; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30224/10]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 8: To ask the Taoiseach Taoiseach the arrangements in place within his Department for maintaining contact with the Ireland-America Advisory Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30225/10]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 9: To ask the Taoiseach Taoiseach if he will outline the programme for his visit to New York in July 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32324/10]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 10: To ask the Taoiseach Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting with the Mayor of New York, Mr. Bloomberg, in July 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32325/10]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 11: To ask the Taoiseach Taoiseach if he will make a statement on his visit to the United States during July 2010;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32327/10]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 to 11, inclusive, together.

I led an economic mission to the United States from 11 to 15 July last. During this trip I met with leading figures in US business, politics and the media in New York and Atlanta, as well as representatives of the Irish American community.

I attended the New York Stock Exchange on 12 July and I launched "Innovation Fund - Ireland", which is to support enterprise development and job creation. The fund is a key pillar in the Government's smart economy strategy. The following day I met with the New York Mayor, Mr. Mike Bloomberg, at his City Hall headquarters in New York. The meeting was also attended by the New York City Council Speaker, Ms Christine Quinn. We discussed the economic situation in the US, Ireland and internationally and shared our experience on tackling the global recession. I listened with particular interest to the mayor's experience of improving public services in New York City, with a population of over 8 million people. I expressed my gratitude for the continued interest in and support for Ireland and the Irish community from New York City.

While in New York I also met with successful young Irish people based there who are part of the global Irish network and with Irish community leaders. My schedule also included meetings with Irish companies who are creating new business in the US, as well as representatives of IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and Tourism Ireland. In addition, I met with Irish campaigners for immigration reform.

Following my engagements in New York, I travelled to Atlanta, Georgia where I opened the first ever Irish diplomatic mission in the southern United States and met with Governor Sonny Perdue. This new consulate has been opened as part of the roll-out of the new strategy for Ireland-United States relations which I launched last year. In Atlanta, I also made a key-note speech on the Ireland-United States relationship to the Irish Chambers of Commerce USA and met with leading Georgia-based businesses that have invested and created jobs in Ireland.

While plans have not yet been finalised, I expect that I will next visit the United States for the traditional St. Patrick's Day celebrations in March 2011. I would expect to meet with the Ireland-America Economic Advisory Board in the course of that visit. The Irish Embassy in Washington maintains very close contact with board members who are an important source of advice and assistance for us.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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When the Taoiseach met with the Irish community leaders in July in New York he stated that the Government remains firmly committed to supporting the cause of immigration reform. What progress has been made on the follow-up on that statement and what progress has been made in respect of sorting out the worsening situation in so far as the undocumented Irish is concerned?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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That is an issue on which we campaign all of the time. The Irish Embassy in Washington is very active on the Capital Hill in that regard. As Deputy Kenny will appreciate, it is a very difficult issue on the domestic agenda of the United State. President Obama, when I last met him on St. Patrick's Day in March, gave a strong commitment on his view that this was an issue that needed to be address but one understands that prior to the November elections the political situation is not conducive to getting the matter dealt with, certainly, on a bipartisan basis or, indeed, in any way.

The issue is prioritised in all Government contacts with the US Administration. We continue to focus on what is a three-pronged strategy - the reciprocal working holiday arrangement agreement which is now working successfully, the new bilateral arrangements to provide reciprocal long-term E3 working visas, and a solution for the undocumented.

President Obama has made his commitment to comprehensive reform clear and, in his address on the issue delivered in Washington on 1 July, he signalled his willingness to move forward and shape what he called "a practical, common-sense approach". Clearly, we would like to see a comprehensive resolution to this issue at the earliest opportunity. However, the status of the undocumented can only be changed by virtue of legislation passed by both Houses of Congress and it is not merely a matter of bilateral engagement between the two Governments. It remains a highly sensitive political issue and very considerable challenges remain.

On 30 September, prior to the current congressional recess, Senator Robert Menendez published an immigration reform Bill that includes an E3 provision for Ireland. Although the publication of this Bill is only the first step in a long process, the inclusion of an E3 scheme at this stage is an important achievement for the Government and the Irish community.

The Government maintains close contact with the Irish community and immigration reform groups, as the Deputy will know. We met the Irish lobby for immigration reform while in the US last March and with immigration reform groups during my recent New York trip. The Minister for Foreign Affairs meets such groups regularly when he is in the US, including during his recent visit to New York for the UN General Assembly session.

Practical support is provided through the Government's emigrant support programme. Since 2006 the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform has received grants worth $325,000, and $20,000 has been provided to the Chicago council for immigration reform over the past two years.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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We will not see a comprehensive solution to immigration concerns in the short term because of the complex issues involved and because of the situation in both Houses of Congress in terms of the American Government. Has the Government decided to more or less wait until the possibility or probability of a comprehensive solution happens, which might be a long way down the line, and in the meantime is there advice that can be given to undocumented young Irish people from all over the country who are living from day to day in an anxious state in the US? Or is the Government moving to a point where it wants to follow up on a bilateral arrangement between Ireland and the US?

Second, a scheme was to be introduced by the Minister for Foreign Affairs which was to result in up to 10,000 US visas being available. I understand the take-up under that scheme has been poor with only a few hundred having applied. Is there a reason for that or does the Taoiseach have any information to indicate why this scheme was such a failure?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I do not have any detail on that. I will ask the Department of Foreign Affairs to let the Deputy know the position.

On the issue in regard to bilateral arrangements, I do not believe there is any political prospect of bilateral arrangements being agreed between countries on immigration reform. As the Deputy is aware, there are various caucuses in regard to various groups which would insist that this matter can only be dealt with in a comprehensive fashion, dealing with everyone's problems rather than any specific sector of the émigré community being dealt with exceptionally.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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When the Taoiseach was in the US he opened a new consulate general office in Atlanta and it was termed to be a strategic long-term development. He indicated that the consulate would be more streamlined than other long established consulates in the United States. Atlanta has a population of 8 million. It is also is the location of the headquarters of Coca-Cola, CNN, DHL and CRH, which is Ireland's largest firm. In the spirit of wanting to continue to foster relations between Ireland the United States - I note the welcome comment from the Minister for Finance that there is no intention of shifting from the 12.5% corporation tax rate - if the consulate is to be more streamlined and strategic, is it intended that personnel from Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland or Tourism Ireland should be seconded to Atlanta to deal at first hand and face to face with opportunities presented, firms, organisations and interest groups that would have an impact in terms of investment or travel to Ireland with obvious consequences for the economy here? The Taoiseach might like to comment on that.

Was there any indication in the Taoiseach's discussions about Ireland's commitment to meeting the millennium development goals of the UN? The summit took place from 20 to 22 September. I do not know whether the Taoiseach was invited to it but I know President Sarkozy and the Prime Ministers of Spain, Canada, the Netherlands, Denmark and Japan attended it.

An interesting point was raised by Deputy Barrett here yesterday. He said that we have a great number of young qualified brilliant people in the country, many of whom are now unemployed, and that their participation in assisting in other countries could be deemed to be part of the contribution that Ireland would make. I am aware there is a difficulty with the economic situation and that we are committed to the 0.7% of GNP contribution by 2015. In the Taoiseach's discussions in the United States with Irish-Americian interests, Major Bloomberg or whoever, was this matter raised or did the Taoiseach have any opportunity to reflect on that? As a small country we have made a massive impact internationally in this regard and perhaps the point made by the Deputy Barrett should be worthy of consideration.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Those issues were not discussed, the focus was very much economic and bilateral. On the issue of the millennium development goals, I would refer the Deputy to the speech of the Minister for Foreign Affairs at the General Assembly where that matter was addressed.

In regard to-----

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The consulate.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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-----the question on the APSO-type contribution where people make their skills available to do development work generally, or across the world, we have a personal services organisation that does that work and it is part of the funding for development aid by the Department of Foreign Affairs. I presume that can be augmented or increased, where demand requires it or skills are sought. There have been many instances where Irish citizens have volunteered for that type of work and I commend them for it.

On the issue in regard to Atlanta, a consulate has been set up there and it has been very much welcomed. While it is located in Atlanta, it's remit is not limited to the Georgia situation, although, as the Deputy said, there are important firms in the Atlanta area. It is an important commercial hub in the United States. The other southern states will be part of the remit of work of the consulate.

On the question of the people from the IDA being seconded there, IDA personnel who work in the United States work from a couple of offices nationwide but they are very much on the move all the time and are not located in a geographical space. We have people of expertise in the various sectors who keep in touch with the foreign direct investment community on a very regular basis. Operating in that way the work is company focused rather than geographically based, which is probably the best way to operate. I would defer to the IDA's experience in that respect as to how it organises itself to best effect.

On the question of the consulate generally, it was a question of increasing our presence in that part of the world. We have a large number of Irish in that area, Irish from this part of the jurisdiction and Irish from the North of both traditions. It is important to point out that this consulate gives us a foothold in the southern states and places us at the centre of a dynamic economic base. I am also delighted to say that we have appointed new honorary consuls in Denver, Seattle, Pittsburgh and New Orleans. That is another initiative. As part of the strategic initiative on the Irish-US relationship, we have also, as the Deputy will be aware, established the Irish American Leadership Council. Its first meeting last year in October was attended by representatives of the Irish-American community, including economic, social, political and cultural organisations and US based representatives of Irish Government agencies. Delegates attended from all regions of the United States, including representatives from Houston to Chicago and from New York to San Francisco. A second meeting was held in September of this year. This is another important resource which is being developed.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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During his visit to the United States in early July, did the Taoiseach take steps to address, redress or rebut some of the negative commentary about Ireland that has been appearing in some of the influential US newspapers? The Taoiseach was in the United States between 11 and 15 July. On 29 June, The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal each published a lengthy article on the Irish economy, both of which were negative. The former described Ireland as "a once thriving nation" that is "struggling, with no sign of a rapid turnaround in sight". The latter had similarly negative comments to make about Ireland. Did the Taoiseach hold briefings for the United States media during his visit? Did he make any attempt to speak directly to The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, with a view to talking up the prospects of the country?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I did television interviews, including an interview with Charlie Rose on Bloomberg Television, and met representatives of the New York Stock Exchange, the Bank of New York Mellon, one of the largest banks in the United States, the board of Goldman Sachs and various other business interests.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The Taoiseach will have been conscious of the commentaries on Ireland published in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal shortly before his visit. Was an attempt made to arrange a briefing or interviews for these two newspapers? Was any effort made to use the occasion of his visit to the United States to influence these two highly influential newspapers about their take on Ireland?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I did not have a direct briefing with the newspapers in question but I know it was covered. We dealt with them and they are continually dealt with. I also dealt with other media interests.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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On the undocumented Irish, the so-called illegal Irish emigrants in the United States, is it possible that the Department of Foreign Affairs would prepare a briefing for the leaders of the Opposition parties on its approach - the steps taken and areas of possible redress identified - to the very serious situation faced by countless Irish people, some of whom have lived in the United States for a longer period than they lived at home? With the growing number of people now displaced as a result of the decline in the economy, it would be helpful, given that we all have engagement with people from the political, administrative and business life of the United States, if were all at least singing from the same hymn sheet and pressing all the right buttons. I ask if this could be done purely and solely in the interest of aiding and abetting the best possible outcome in terms of impacting on the US Administration and those who can help to bring about progress in this particular area. Will the Taoiseach consider arranging such a briefing at the earliest opportunity? It would be very welcome from my point of view.

Is the Taoiseach aware of the growing number of state assemblies, city councils, municipalities and organisations in the United States which have, in recent months, passed resolutions encouraging the pursuit of peaceful and democratic resolution of the issue of partition and encouraging work towards the achievement of Irish reunification? It is certainly a major issue of debate across all of the bodies in question.

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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We are drifting somewhat from the group of questions.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Not at all. I am asking the Taoiseach, in the context of his US visits, whether he is aware of this growth in interest which is a natural outworking of all that we have achieved moving from a peace process to a political process. Is he aware of it? Has he been briefed on it or has he discussed it with the Minister for Foreign Affairs? Will he join me in the logical outworking of it by encouraging all parties and interests here to sit down and collectively seek to open up a respectful debate and process that would encourage exactly what the elected bodies in question in the United States are encouraging?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The whole purpose of the peace process and political process in which we are engaged is to enable everyone, those of all traditions, to pursue their objectives peacefully and democratically, overcome past dissensions, recognise the commonality of our interests and, in due course, try to develop political structures which would be consistent with these objectives. That is part of the normal democratic debate. I welcome the decision of any institution, anywhere in the world to adopt motions that confirm that their interest in Ireland and Irish affairs is also on the basis that they promote peaceful and democratic resolution of issues. Since the Good Friday Agreement was signed, we have been engaged in work that is dedicated to this purpose and to doing so democratically.

On the Deputy's question on the undocumented, I can ask the Department of Foreign Affairs to give an update on the current position and on replies I have given concerning the work the Department is undertaking. It has a three-pronged strategy which I have outlined in previous supplementary questions. That is the focus of the strategy it is pursuing.