Eamon Scanlon (Fianna Fail)

I am delighted to have the opportunity to speak on this important motion. We should convey our gratitude to the Taoiseach, the Minister, Deputy Dermot Ahern, and the Minister of State, Deputy Treacy, for their work on this issue. I refer in particular to their visit to the White House on St. Patrick's Day. I am aware that they have spoken to the US President, Mr. Bush, about this matter. I know that he fully supports the legislation that is before the US Congress. While we do not always agree with President Bush, we should acknowledge that his support for this process has meant that it has moved quite quickly. It has become a priority issue in the United States.

I wish to acknowledge the work that is being done in the US by the undocumented Irish, who have contributed enormously to the economic and social life of that country. One needs to visit the US to understand that valuable contribution. I went to New York four weeks ago to attend a function organised by the Sligo people's association there. The House should publicly thank the great county organisations in the US, which do some great work to support and assist the undocumented Irish. Some 450 people attended the Sligo association's function in New York, which was organised in aid of a project in my home town of Ballymote, County Sligo. The commitment of the association, which provides great assistance to those who need it, deserves to be recorded. The Minister of State, Deputy Treacy, is familiar with the work of the Irish association in Chicago, which is headed up by a Sligo man, Mr. John Gurhy. Representatives of the association came to Galway last spring to present a cheque for €120,000, all of which was raised in Chicago, to be used to purchase medical equipment for Galway University Hospital. I am pleased to reflect on the great work that is done by such associations for Irish communities in various cities throughout the US.

I pay tribute to the members of the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs, including Senators Ryan and Mooney, who have done a substantial amount of work to highlight this issue. Senator Mooney has always been to the fore in raising issues which affect Irish people living in places such as England and the US. I hope that the work of the joint committee will help to improve the circumstances of such people.

I was visited last Sunday week by a woman whose son has been living in the US for four years. Her son and his wife have a two year old child. Her husband is very ill and has, at most, six months to live. It is sad that her son cannot return to Ireland to see his father without being worried about the possibility that he will not be allowed back into the US to be with his wife and child. This awful set of circumstances is having terrible a terrible effect on Irish people in the US and on their families in Ireland. I urge anyone who has any form of influence to do whatever can be done to help such people. I compliment the staff of the Department of Foreign Affairs on the work they are doing to alleviate these serious problems.

I will conclude by mentioning the support that has been given to the undocumented Irish in the US by Senators Edward Kennedy and John McCain and Representatives James T. Kolbe and Jeff Flake. I urge the Minister for Foreign Affairs and all others with influence in this regard to continue the work they are doing.