Billy Lawless (Independent) | Oireachtas source

As it is my first opportunity to do so, I thank the Minister of State, Deputy McHugh, for all the great work he did as Minister of State with responsibility for the diaspora. I welcome the new Minister of State, Deputy Cannon, to the role. I am certain he will continue his predecessor's great success. I also warmly welcome the appointment of Deputy Deasy as special envoy to the United States Congress to highlight also the plight of the undocumented Irish. This appointment of an envoy is very significant and will be of immense value to those of us who are lobbying and fighting every day for immigration reform in the United States.

Having spent the past few days at meetings in Washington DC and at meetings with other Irish groups in Philadelphia, as well as in my own city of Chicago, I am aware of a lot of fear in the Irish community at how President Trump's immigration policies could affect them and their families. This is understandable given what they see and read every day in the newspapers. Despite recent high-profile press reports and having spoken with a wide range of groups, so far in 2017 I can count on one hand the number of deportations and pending deportations of Irish nationals that do not involve substantial criminal charges. This does not, however, mean that we can become complacent.Immigration enforcement authorities have been given a clear message by President Trump. There is an intention to deliver on that message, but that does not mean that such authorities are not sympathetic to cases of those who had been here for 20 years, are married and have American-born children, are gainfully employed and pay their taxes. Sympathy can only go so far, however, as the law must be implemented, and it is up to us as legislators and representatives of Ireland to shift the sands of our campaign in order that families of the type I describe are not fearful that at any moment, even if they got a speeding or parking ticket, they could suddenly find themselves subject to deportation hearings.

The prospect of comprehensive immigration reform passing through both Houses of Congress in 2017 or even 2018, is extremely low given the current political climate. In the meantime, in our diplomatic and lobbying effort, we need to focus on what binds our two great countries together. We often talk about the one in four jobs that are created by US multinationals based in Ireland, but often lost is the figure of $35 billion in economic output that Irish companies based in the US generate for the US economy. Irish firms in the US employ almost as many people as US firms employ in Ireland. In California alone, over 25,000 jobs have been created by Irish companies. There are over 200 Irish companies in each of the 50 states in the US at more than 2,600 locations and Ireland is the 13th largest supplier to the US.

What we need to do is to promote the economic relationship between our countries in our immigration debate. We cannot separate the two. It is here where the greatest goodwill between our countries lies and where perhaps the greatest influence can be brought to bear. It is my hope that through dialogue, both on St. Patrick's Day between our new Taoiseach and President Trump and in our ongoing efforts, we can appeal to the unique relationship between Ireland and the US in persuading those charged with both directing law enforcement authorities and creating their policy approach that a special case can be made and communicated. This case would be made to ensure that families who have built indelible ties to their communities and have raised families do not have to live in fear every day that someone might come knocking on their door and split up their family. I look forward to working with Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Coveney, Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Cannon and Deputy Deasy in advancing this cause.