Michael Finucane (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister to the House and am aware of his interest in this matter as we have recently received various statements from him regarding it. There is no doubt that the events of 11 September 2001 changed America profoundly, especially in respect of security awareness. It plunged many Irish illegal immigrants, as they are classified in America, into a twilight world of uncertainty in which it is no longer possible to obtain a driver's licence, which, in many cases, gives them access to their workplaces. It also plunged them into a situation whereby they cannot return home and attend family funerals. Many of us have been approached by families in our constituencies regarding sons and daughters living in the uncertain environment of the US. They wonder whether we could give any positive assurances concerning potential changes in America or that there could be a degree of recognition for the immigrants there. The McCain-Kennedy Bill was a glimmer of hope when its date was moved to May 2005. I am sure that everyone here wishes God speed to the Bill in the US House of Representatives and we hope that something good emerges from it.

The number of Irish illegal immigrants there is not low. The Minister has cited the estimate that the figure is consistently approximately 25,000. However, the Bill will also have profound effects on Mexican and other nationalities. Senator Bradford is correct in that the US economy has become dependent on people classified as illegal immigrants, which is similar to the situation in Ireland. Emigrants work on the lower end of the economic scale. Many of those who migrated from the former accession EU countries are probably working at the lower end of the wage scale but are making very valuable contributions towards sustaining our economy, especially in the hospitality sector and elsewhere.

I am aware of a number of illegal immigrants in the US who are highly educated. As such, they are making a valuable contribution to American society and perpetuate the history of generations of Irish people building the US. I hope the passage of the legislation through the US House of Representatives and Senate will be successful. I look forward, if it is enacted, to witnessing its subsequent impact.

I recently read the record of a debate that took place in the Lower House regarding Irish emigrants who went to the UK many years ago and many of whom are now elderly. These people should not be forgotten because they made a very valuable contribution, when the Celtic tiger did not exist and when the economy was less buoyant, by sending money home from England. Many of those to whom I refer have fallen on hard times. Will the Minister indicate the level of funding the Department of Foreign Affairs is giving to the different bodies in the UK that deal with Irish emigrants? The amount of funding available was topped up after the debate on emigration in the Lower House. We should not forget these people living in the UK in the circumstances to which I refer or the organisations that do valuable work for them.

I will conclude because I do not wish to repeat what colleagues have already said. I encourage the Minister to keep the momentum going on this issue and I hope he will be successful.