Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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2. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the outcome of recent discussions he had with the President of the United States and the US authorities during the recent visit to Ireland regarding the need to regularise the status of the undocumented Irish in the US and have an appropriate visa programme put in place to protect them, and the progress made in relation to securing citizenship for them; if he will consider appointing an Irish Government representative who will be solely responsible for dealing with this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19795/23]

Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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I ask the outcome of recent discussions the Tánaiste has had with United States authorities and President Biden during his recent visit to Ireland. Did the Tánaiste have the opportunity to raise the need to regularise the status of the undocumented Irish in the United States and the need for the appropriate visa and citizenship programmes to be put in place to protect them?

Will the Tánaiste consider appointing an Irish Government representative who would have sole responsibility for dealing with this issue?

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I thank Deputy Lowry for raising this matter. Addressing the status of undocumented Irish citizens in the US remains a priority for the Government. Immigration matters are raised on an ongoing basis with the US Administration and US political leaders.

The recent visit of President Biden to Ireland reinforced the strong historic, economic, cultural and family links between our two countries. The visit included exchanges with the President on matters of shared importance to both countries, including peace and economic progress on this island.

Immigration matters featured prominently in high-level political engagements during the St. Patrick’s day period. The Taoiseach discussed immigration reform with President Biden at the White House and the need to increase opportunities for young people to move between Ireland and the US with greater ease. I discussed ongoing efforts to secure immigration pathways with Congressman Richie Neal and the Friends of Ireland, and I met with organisations providing vital services and support to our diaspora, including undocumented Irish, in New York and Boston. I also raised the issue on an earlier visit to Washington.

These political contacts build on the ongoing work of our embassy in Washington, in conjunction with bipartisan members of Congress, to find innovative solutions to challenges faced by the undocumented Irish and those seeking to live and work in the US. The most realistic long-term solution for our undocumented citizens remains comprehensive immigration reform, on which the Government actively supports the Biden Administration’s efforts. However, as almost every such legislative proposal in the past decade has stalled in Congress, the challenges should not be underestimated.

My Department supports organisations that provide valued assistance to our citizens in the United States, including the undocumented. More than €4.2 million in emigrant support programme funding was allocated to organisations in the US for 2022 to 2023. Our diplomatic network across the US also proactively seeks opportunities to improve the day-to-day lives of the undocumented Irish.

With respect to an Irish Government representative on immigration, the Minister of State with responsibility for the diaspora, Deputy Fleming, and I have ministerial responsibility for our communities abroad. The Irish Embassy in Washington, together with the eight consulates general throughout the US, remains extremely active on emigration issues.

Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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As we all know the saga of the undocumented Irish in the United States has been ongoing since what seems like the beginning of time. We have heard endless tales of Irish people who, for many reasons, have chosen to live their lives in the US despite knowing they will never share the same freedoms and benefits as US citizen. Most of them will spend their lives looking over their shoulders. For many people, the lure of the land of opportunity and the centuries-held promise of the American dream are impossible to resist. They follow in their forefathers' footsteps into the cultural melting pot that is the US. Many, even in these modern times, know they may never set foot on Irish soil again. They need the ongoing support of the Tánaiste. They are desperate for protection and a satisfactory resolution.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I agree. Last year, there was a bipartisan reintroduction of the E3 visa approach in the US Senate and House of Representatives. This is a welcome development. However, the Bill lapsed with the conclusion of the last session of Congress at the end of 2022. We are discussing options how to potentially move forward the Bill into the new Congress. This was a key theme of my meetings when I visited Washington in February. There has to be a bipartisan dimension to this. It is very challenging. On the previous occasion, one vote in the Senate prevented the E3 visa legislation from going through. We had discussions in February. Even on the recent visit, we discussed emigration issues with the delegation that came with President Biden. That delegation included members of Congress and the US Government. It is a very polarising issue in the US politically. This has made it particularly challenging. We continue to work with all state agencies in the US to try to help the undocumented as best we can.

Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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Few countries around the globe can boast the strong ties of friendship that exist between Ireland and the US. During his recent visit, we witnessed the genuine love that President Biden has for our country and how proud he is of his Irish roots. We know that Ireland holds a cherished place in his heart. We must also be conscious of what the Tánaiste has referred to, which is that America is considered home to undocumented people from many nations around the globe. Realistically, the President's love of Ireland is not enough to change the laws of the US. The political reality is that President Biden and the Democrats do not have the majority required in Congress to make exemptions for Irish people. This can only be achieved with the support of Republicans. In his role as Minister for Foreign Affairs I am glad the Tánaiste is committing to using his network and influence to gain political consensus to achieve a positive outcome for the beleaguered Irish people living illegally in the US.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The embassy is very seized of this issue as is our ambassador in the US. I favour the approach of our diplomatic network in the US pursuing this issue and not having two strands of approach. I do not want to personalise this but when we appoint people as ambassadors to the US it is experienced high-calibre diplomats who end up in Washington. Over the years they have cultivated strong relationships with both sides on the Hill. This is continuing. When I was last there in February, we concluded an agreement to extend the working holiday visa. I discussed with former Governor and now Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and others that ideally we have to deal with the undocumented and try to get legislation passed to facilitate them. I have met undocumented people and they are in a very worrying and sad situation. They cannot get back home to family, including to ageing parents or family members who might be sick. It is a very distressing and traumatic experience for many undocumented in the United States. We are very conscious of this and of creating new legal channels between Ireland and the United States for people.