Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge Fianna Fáil’s role in ensuring that diaspora policy was recognised in the first instance. Senator Davitt referenced the American presidential election and the fear of the undocumented about executive orders. The Senator’s specific question was on the Taoiseach’s role on St. Patrick’s Day. We have a strategic approach. It did not just happen after the presidential election. A great deal of work was done prior to that. For example, Senator Lawless and I met in New York. Our embassies and consulates, such as in San Francisco and Boston, were constantly trying to figure out a strategic approach because everything would change after the election regardless of who got elected and the US Supreme Court route did not work in the area of immigration reform.

Our approach has consistently been to follow up and follow through. If it is me in Philadelphia or New York in March, the Taoiseach in the White House, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Flanagan, in America at the end of January and start of February or Senator Lawless at the meeting on 12 January, there is a thread, and it is focused strongly on the issue of the undocumented. I spoke to a young man yesterday. Undocumented, he has been there for 17 years. There is anxiety and a serious sense of concern, so it is up to us to put the proper information out there if, for example, there are unrealistic executive orders in terms of employment or requiring funding from Congress. I do not know what matters the Taoiseach will discuss but, from my conversation with him, I am convinced that the issue of the undocumented will be the top priority.

Senator Lawless discussed the importance of the emigrant support programme, ESP, funding and how €2.3 million of the €11.5 million went to the US last year. That programme funds many immigration centres, which give advice. I have visited them and met great people from the east coast to the west coast, including Mr. Ronnie Miller. They are working proactively to ensure that people are given the right advice and are protected. There are lawyers there.

Senator Lawless mentioned the US Senate’s 2013 immigration reform Bill and the 10,000 visas in perpetuity. That was a major opportunity and the Senator discusses it often. He also mentioned the business interactions and the fact that Irish companies in America employed more people there than American companies did here. That is a rich connection and fluid movement of people. I met a young woman from Cork who had a company in Limerick and did a great deal of her work in San Francisco with a larger company. This movement of people happens on a daily basis.

There are education issues, which another Senator mentioned. There are significant opportunities, and not just in the US - I am getting phone calls from Texas, including one in the past week - but also from Singapore and Jakarta, where Irish people are classified as EU citizens living outside the Union. They see the opportunity in sending their children back home. It is something that we need to consider.

I am an open Minister of State. I got a great deal of help in my previous portfolio, including from Senator Ó Clochartaigh when I was ag streachaint le mo chuid Gaeilge.