Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)
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I move:

That Seanad Éireann, concerned at the plight of undocumented Irish people living in difficult circumstances in the United States of America:

—welcomes the high priority being given by the US President and Congress to addressing the issue of immigration reform in a way which takes account of the particular position of the undocumented, and also of the security of US borders;

—recognises in particular that the undocumented Irish are unable to return to Ireland for visits and that this imposes significant hardship on their families in Ireland, including in many cases elderly parents;

—recognises further that these people have made and continue to make a valuable contribution to the economic and social life of the United States;

—notes that there are a number of Bills before the US Congress at present which propose different means of legislating for immigration reform;

—deeply appreciates the support given by many members of Congress to efforts to resolve the difficulties facing the undocumented Irish; and

—expresses its strong support for the Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act introduced on 12 May, 2005 in the US Senate by Senator Edward Kennedy and Senator John McCain and in the US House of Representatives by Rep. Jim Kolbe and Rep. Jeff Flake.

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I welcome this opportunity to address Seanad Éireann on this important motion, having already addressed the Dáil on the matter last week.

The vulnerable situation of the undocumented Irish in the United States is well known to all Members of the Oireachtas. As public representatives, the very stressful burden placed on such individuals, and the restrictions within which they must operate, have unfortunately become very familiar. The prevailing security climate in the US adds considerably to their difficulties. Tighter border security measures, being unable to travel home for fear of being refused re-entry and difficulties in obtaining driving licences all serve to increase the pressure on these people and marginalise them further. It is no surprise, therefore, that, together with their families here at home, they are increasingly feeling the strain. This debate provides us with an important opportunity to support the undocumented Irish and to highlight our shared concern, on an all-party basis, for their welfare. It also allows us to warmly welcome the high priority which the sensitive issue of immigration reform has now been afforded in the US.

The legislative debate on this issue is entering a critical phase, with various proposals under consideration. These include the initiative of Senators McCain and Kennedy in the Senate, mirrored by Representatives Kolbe, Flake and Gutierrez in the House of Representatives. This initiative is the subject of the motion. If the McCain-Kennedy Bill is adopted, it will enable undocumented Irish people to participate in the life of their adopted country, free from fear and uncertainty. It is a proposal of great importance to the Government and I will discuss its provisions in further detail later. In view of our collective concerns and the topical nature of immigration reform in the US, it is both important and timely that we add our voices to the many others that strongly support a pragmatic and sympathetic approach to this sensitive issue. The support of the Seanad for today's motion will serve to strengthen and emphasise our message.

In keeping with the very high priority which the Government attaches to the issue of the undocumented Irish abroad, I visited the United States on a number of occasions since becoming Minister for Foreign Affairs just over one year ago. I availed of every opportunity to discuss this issue and to promote the interests of the undocumented. The Seanad can rest assured that I will continue to be active in this regard and I plan to visit three locations in the US next month to meet again with representatives of the immigration centre.

In addition to these ongoing political contacts, our ambassador and a team of diplomats throughout the US attach the highest priority to this issue and will continue to proactively ensure that our interests, and those of our citizens, are promoted. The embassy has also been happy to set up programmes for visiting Irish parliamentarians who have generously given of their time and resources to this important issue. I welcome this opportunity to place on record my deep appreciation of the valuable work done by colleagues in this House. In June, the Leader of the Seanad and other Senators visited New York and Washington DC with the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs, with the specific objective of examining, at first hand, the issue of the undocumented. More recently, Senators Ryan and Mooney joined an Oireachtas delegation led by the Ceann Comhairle. The idea for this motion follows from the useful meetings they had with people, including Senator John McCain, on Capitol Hill.

Emigration has always had a central place in the Irish experience and, as a consequence, we feel a deep empathy with the many challenges, the highs and lows, of settling far from home. We understand very well the sadness of separation and the difficulties of adjustment, both for those who have left and those who have stayed behind. Emigration is not simply a sad chronicle of sorrow and regret. It has also been a powerful story of contribution and adaptation. Nowhere is this more evident than in the case of the Irish in the United States.

We are enormously proud of the very significant contribution made over many centuries by the Irish, and our descendants, to the development of the United States of America. While we highlight the rich traditions that join our two countries, we also take pride in the dynamic, progressive relationship our two countries enjoy. We welcome new developments and look forward to our relationship developing further in the future.

We are keenly aware that Irish people continue to contribute in a significant way to that country. Many of the young Irish who settled permanently in the US in recent decades now hold significant positions in American universities and business life. Many others, motivated by opportunity rather than necessity, have travelled to the US more recently and are, for example, availing of study and business visas to enhance their experiences.

Thankfully, one of the greatest dividends of our economic success has been the reversal of the tide of emigration. This had been a goal of successive Governments. We can take some pride in the fact that the latest CSO figures estimate that in 2005 as many as 19,000 Irish nationals will return to Ireland, while the numbers emigrating will drop to 16,600.

While taking pride in our economic prosperity, we are not so far removed from the economic hardship of recent years that we have forgotten the pain of seeing our best and brightest leave, often with no decent prospect of returning home. We are not so far removed from our past that we are willing to turn a blind eye to the loved ones and emigrants who now find themselves in unfortunate and difficult circumstances. We recognise that with our new prosperity comes new responsibilities and opportunities. We understand that meeting the needs of our community living abroad is one such important responsibility and we are fully committed to meeting it.

This commitment is reflected in the establishment a few years ago of a dedicated unit within my Department focused entirely on matters relating to the Irish abroad. This has helped to drive progress on the range of issues addressed in the most valuable task force report on emigrants. A further reflection of the extent of the Government's commitment is clear from the substantially increased funding to groups supporting our vulnerable community abroad. Funding is now more than eight times greater than it was in 1997. I assure the House that this commitment and engagement will deepen and grow in the years ahead.

While the numbers leaving Ireland for the US are nothing as high as they were, we are nevertheless acutely conscious of the individual stories of hardship and of the impact of the changed circumstances in which they find themselves. The fact that there is no firm figure for the current number of undocumented is a reflection of their life below the radar. We have heard various estimates; a figure of 3,000 has been estimated by the US authorities but this certainly seems to be a low estimate. Some in the Irish community in the US consider that the numbers may be as high as 50,000. I remain of the opinion that the true figure is probably in the region of 25,000. We are conscious nonetheless that the Irish undocumented form a small part of a much larger group of undocumented in the US, where the total number is thought to exceed 10 million. However, the issue is not one of numbers. It is the nature of the undocumented experience, rather than the numbers, that should be our focus.

Many of those who now find themselves in difficulty left Ireland to make new lives in the US, often in challenging circumstances. For some, the United States to which they had travelled changed beyond all recognition on 11 September 2001 and almost overnight, they found themselves isolated by international events outside of their control. In the aftermath of the tragic events of 11 September, the United States Government moved quickly and decisively to confront the threat of terrorism at home. This was right and fully understandable. As anyone who has been in the US in recent times will testify, tough new security measures have been adopted and continue to affect the daily lives of Americans.

The undocumented Irish, like so many others, became caught up in these new measures and suddenly found themselves in a situation for which they had neither planned nor prepared — a situation where they have understandably increasingly retreated to the shadows, fearful of detection. These are decent, hardworking people who, like generations of Irish before them, continue to contribute very positively to their communities. We know they could realise their potential even further if they were to regularise their status. We are determined they will continue to have our full support and access to all the advice and assistance they need in order to achieve this.

We are deeply appreciative of the critical support provided by the Irish immigration centres in the United States. The sensitive and effective assistance they offer is of particular relevance in the current climate of heightened stress and uncertainty. During my visit to New York last month, I convened a meeting with representatives of these centres from across the United States to hear at first hand their concerns. This was the first time such a collective meeting took place and I believe we all found it to be a stimulating exchange of views. The representatives of the centres gave me a very detailed briefing on the day-to-day difficulties faced by the undocumented and the types of services they have been developing to meet the needs of this vulnerable group. They also updated me on their work with other Irish people in need of a helping hand such as, for example, older Irish members of our community.

In order to support them further in their invaluable work, I announced grants amounting to some €750,000, which is an increase of 40% on last year. The representatives of the centres also emphasised to me the increased spotlight on immigration policy in the United States and the difficult climate for reform. In the context of today's debate, I was heartened when the Irish centres expressed deep appreciation of the interest of the Government and Members of the Oireachtas in this matter.

We all appreciate that immigration is a sensitive and divisive issue in the United States, particularly since the tragic events of 11 September 2001. We fully recognise the complexity of the issues involved, and the need to secure consensus on a comprehensive set of reforms which addresses both the situation of the undocumented and the need for increased security of borders.

Hence, as this motion notes, we particularly welcome the high priority being given to this issue by the United States President and Congress. In my contacts with political leaders in the United States, I have been struck by their determination to advance reforms. In particular, I am deeply appreciative of the high priority which President Bush attaches to it. When the Taoiseach and I met the President on 17 March this year, he assured us of his commitment to working with Congress and to advancing progress on this issue.

This motion expresses the Seanad's strong support for measures introduced by US Senators Kennedy and McCain and their colleagues in the House of Representatives. Their Secure America and Orderly Immigration Bill represents a serious and considered effort by two distinguished Senators, with long records of public service, to reform the immigration system and to regularise the position of undocumented people. Their very significant and positive Bill provides for a route to legality for undocumented people. Such people would be able to regularise their status by applying for a temporary residency visa. They would receive work and travel authorisation, which would provide them with greater protection in the work place and allow them to travel to and from Ireland without fear of being refused re-entry to the US. This would be a great relief to them and to their families.

A further and most significant aspect of the Kennedy-McCain Bill which distinguishes it from other proposals is that it includes a path to permanent residency. As I stated earlier, there have been a number of other immigration Bills introduced in both Houses of Congress, all with their own emphasis and policy direction. We welcome the positive engagement of all those who are contributing to the debate on this important issue. We understand that divergence in points of view is to be expected. The focus of today's motion on the Kennedy-McCain initiative arises because from an Irish point of view, it represents by far the best approach.

We know the legislative debate on immigration in the United States will be lively and lengthy. We also understand that the outcome of the debate is uncertain. Members who have visited the United States in recent times will have come away with this impression of the situation. In light of the current focus on immigration reform in the United States and of the deep concern here about the issue, I am convinced it is very important that we give the clearest expression of our strong support of the approach adopted by Senators Kennedy and McCain and their colleagues in the House of Representatives.

The Members of the Seanad can be assured that the plight of our undocumented citizens in the United States has and will continue to have the highest priority for the Government. In the critical period ahead, we will intensify our efforts to support measures, in particular those proposed in the Kennedy-McCain Bill, which would allow our undocumented citizens to regularise their situation and enjoy greater peace of mind. I thank the Members and Senator Mooney for proposing the motion and I look forward to the debate.

Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)
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I wish to share time with Senator Finucane.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Is that agreed? Agreed.

Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)
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I welcome the Minister to the House. It is significant the Seanad will now join the Dáil in passing this motion and in showing the strength of support in the Oireachtas for the Irish community who are undocumented in the United States. I agree with everything the Minister has said. Above all, I want to reflect on and reiterate his statement that "we understand that meeting the needs of our community living abroad is one such important responsibility and we are fully committed to meeting it".

It is rather strange that ten or 15 years ago, the question of the illegal Irish in the United States was a big domestic political issue in this House and in the body politic. Thereafter, we thought the problem had resolved itself with the strong economic growth and performance in Ireland. While we did not expect the issue to re-emerge, it has done so and must now be dealt with. We are fortunate that efforts are now being made in the US Senate and House of Representatives to try to bring help and hope to the undocumented.

As the Minister has noted, it is difficult to quantify the numbers involved. I was involved in one of the visits by parliamentarians to Washington earlier in the year, as part of a delegation of the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs. Every meeting we attended gave us a different impression as to the numbers of undocumented or illegal Irish. The Minister has attempted to fix upon a figure of approximately 25,000, which appears to be a reasonable estimate.

One big difference I noted at that time compared to my visit to the United States in 1989 was that in 1989, the illegal Irish in New York and elsewhere in north America were well organised and had a strong leadership group. On this occasion, possibly because a different type of immigrant is affected or because the type of undocumented situation differs, there does not appear to be the same leadership among the undocumented in the United States. This is a difficulty. In that regard, Members should note the enormous efforts being made by church charities and by Irish communities in the United States in trying to achieve unity and a sense of purpose among the undocumented. This is extremely important.

While I welcome the passing of this motion, we must also be realistic as to what will be eventually passed by the United States Congress from the perspective of immigration control and security. We must also be realistic about the timeframe. When we visited the United States earlier this year, expectations were high that major impetus would be given to the immigration and visa issue by the autumn session or by winter. However the entire congressional calendar will now have changed, given the effects of the hurricanes in Florida and the ensuing crisis across the southern states. At best, the expected timeframe for the immigration issue to receive serious debate will be put back for a significant number of months. We must be patient.

As regards the specific proposal supported by this motion, we all recognise it would be the best solution for the Irish community. However, we must also recognise there are a significant number of visa Bills now before the House of Representatives and the Senate. It is fair to state that although with any luck, legislation will be passed next year, it is likely to be a merger of quite a number of Bills. As the Minister has stated, we would be most happy if the Kennedy-McCain Bill was passed because of the residency options it would provide to the undocumented Irish in the United States. However, we must take whatever is on offer.

In the 1980s and early 1990s, such people wished to remain in the United States permanently. However, unlike then and given the opinions of many people I met on the joint committee's visit as well as of many undocumented people of whom I am personally aware, my understanding is that many undocumented immigrants want work permits and certainty about the ability to travel to and fro. These are their immediate priorities. For some, residency would be preferable but we must actively work to ensure the undocumented become documented, that they will have work permits and will be able to return home for family functions such as funerals, weddings, etc.

When we hold debates on visa programmes we all support whichever programme is on offer. There is no political divide in this respect. We can ignore the fact we are possibly failing to take full advantage of some of the programmes in place. This point was made very strongly to Senator Mooney, myself and other members of the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs by former US Congressman, Bruce Morrison, who will be fondly remembered in Ireland due to the Morrison visa programme. He asked and challenged us to try to take fuller advantage of some of the current schemes. We should take his advice and try to amend the Walsh diversity visa programme as only a tiny percentage of these visas have been taken up.

Former Congressman Morrison suggested we should seek an extension of the J1 worker programme as opposed to the student visa programme. Another of his suggestions and one the Minister should act upon is that we should enter into a bilateral programme on working holiday visas with the US. That is the arrangement in place between Ireland and Australia in that Irish students can travel to and work in Australia for 12 months and Australian students can do likewise here. We should attempt to develop a working holiday programme with the US.

The issue of undocumented immigrants is a major problem but there are other means of addressing aspects of the problem rather than proposing a single immigration Bill. I hope we will examine these means. I have a deep appreciation for what Senators McCain and Kennedy are attempting to do at a very different level than has been previously the case. There is strong all-party support and two of the most senior members of the Senate are involved. It also occurs during a time of a changed political climates in the US. Even the Title of the Bill tells its own tale in that it is no longer an immigration Bill or a visa Bill but the Secure America and Orderly Immigration Bill.

We must concede and recognise the fact that security is the prime issue in the US. In the 1980s, the so-called "illegals" did not comprise an issue that got prime political attention. However, the matter of undocumented immigrations has now been mixed with the security issue. For this reason any solution will be as much about the security side of the equation as the visa side. In some of the meetings held by the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs with various Senators and legal representatives, the strong message the committee received was that security was first on the agenda and visas were second.

As this debate develops over the next number of months, we hope the Bill will be taken seriously by the members of Congress and that a compromise proposal will be made. I welcome today's debate, which is a small but significant show of support from the Irish Houses of Parliament. It is important that our support be conveyed to the US Congress. We are all aware of Senator Kennedy's record on Irish issues and we welcome on board Senator John McCain, a very senior politician, and their colleagues in the House of Representatives. However, it would be unrealistic to expect this Bill will have an easy passage. We must accept there will be compromises, additions and subtractions but what is important is that the issue of undocumented immigrants is addressed.

It was made clear to the members of the committee that, while the number of undocumented persons in the US is large and possibly unquantifiable, all of these people are working and contributing to the country's economy. One public representative who visited the committee conceded that, without the undocumented labour force in the US, American agriculture and horticulture would shut down. Therefore, it is in the interests of the US and its economy to resolve the issue and ensure that work permits, whether they are straightforward work permits or permits leading to permanent residency, are put in place, the sooner the better.

We must be cautious about sending signals of absolute optimism to the Irish community in the US due to the change in the congressional calendar and other issues arising from events surrounding Hurricane Katrina. When in Washington, I felt strong, positive vibes that the issue is being taken seriously. I welcome this and suggest we should use whatever influence we have through this House and our embassy staff, who are doing outstanding work, to keep in touch with American policy makers and help put in place a programme for the 10,000, 15,000 or 25,000 undocumented Irish in the US. I ask the Minister to take Bruce Morrison's advice to examine schemes currently in place and determine how we can build upon and expand them so that any of them that are good for Ireland are also good for the US.

Michael Finucane (Fine Gael)
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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.

Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)
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I welcome the Minister. Without engaging in hyperbole, I wish to state that the tabling of this motion represents an historic event in the distinguished history of the House. The motion is equal in significance to that taken in the Lower House. Over 50 years ago, both Houses of the Oireachtas debated the problems of emigration. It is difficult to believe at this remove that our predecessors could have in any way foreseen that the Government would reach out to the members of its separated diaspora in the US, through our friends in the that country's Legislature, in order to regularise their circumstances. We are talking about people who have left Ireland voluntarily, as distinct from those who had no option but to leave.

I acknowledge and put on the record, without any reflection on anyone else, the outstanding contribution made by the Minister for Foreign Affairs on this issue. It has proven to be fruitful and is an indication of the commitment he has shown to this specific area and to the Irish diaspora in the US and UK, with which I am familiar. He hit the ground running and followed on from the outstanding work of his predecessor, Deputy Cowen, who is now Minister for Finance. It is somewhat interesting that the Minister for Finance had an immediate empathy with his successor in respect of the release of funds. When the Estimates are agreed later this year, I hope there will be a further increase in funding for the Irish diaspora.

I also acknowledge the work done by the Taoiseach. As the Minister for Foreign Affairs pointed out, he was present in March 2005 when this specific issue was raised. When one considers all the other important issues facing the White House and the Irish Government and the Taoiseach, the fact that time was given to a small but extremely important and significant group of Irish nationals who have found themselves in a legal limbo in the US is to this Government's credit. I make no excuses if this sounds party political and is an example of hyperbole. It is not a reflection on anyone; I am merely stating the facts as I see them and as I have known them to be since this issue first arose.

Despite the best efforts of Irish-American politicians over 15 years to address the issue of illegal immigration through measures such as the Donnelly, Morrison and Walsh visa schemes, there remains a small but significant residual group of Irish nationals in the US who, as other speakers and the Minister indicated, have found themselves cut adrift. This is primarily the result of the environment in the US following the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001. It is ironic to recall the different environment that existed in the 1980s when various visa lotteries were implemented. Such visas allowed significant numbers of Irish citizens — who would not otherwise have had the opportunity to do so — to work in the US and gain the expertise and experience with which they gladly and enthusiastically returned to this country and which is helping to drive its engine of growth.

It is estimated that 250,000 people left our shores during the 1980s and that most of these individuals returned during the past seven or eight years. Those who chose to remain in the US took a chance, despite the fact that the visa waiver programme, which has been operating for some years, was evident to all who were travelling. They took this chance because the atmosphere in the US meant that employers and state agencies did not pursue them, particularly if they kept their heads down, paid their taxes, were good Americans and contributed to the economy.

It is somewhat ironic, as we discovered at our various meetings and as the Minister knows, that undocumented people in the US pay taxes. It seems that there is a large escrow account which contains several billions of dollars generated by the taxation of undocumented people. The question arises as to why it is not possible for the state to identify them and send them back. There has been an ambiguous attitude towards illegal immigrants working in the US, primarily because of the vastness of the country and the strength of its economy.

Senator Bradford is correct to say that there is an enormous number of undocumented people in the US. The Minister also touched upon this issue when he stated that the official estimate is approximately 11 million or 12 million. Some people to whom we spoke in recent months on Capitol Hill indicated that the figure could be 15 million or more. The problem lies in the fact that these people are undocumented so nobody knows how many of them exist. Practically all of them work and they are not a burden on the state. It is because of this that the initiatives in the last few years have come about, specifically the initiative of the distinguished Senators Edward Kennedy and John McCain. This initiative culminated in the introduction of legislation with the rather unwieldy title of the Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act last May.

In our discussions with Senators Kennedy and McCain and other Congressmen on this legislation, it became apparent that if there was to be any hope of meaningful immigration reform passed by both Houses of Congress, it needed to have a security dimension attached to it. The word "amnesty" does not appear anywhere in the legislation because the latter is no longer acceptable on Capitol Hill. This is primarily because most members of both Houses of Congress felt this issue had been dealt with to an advanced degree by the introduction of amnesties dating back to 1986. When the first of the amnesty bills to address illegal immigration was introduced in that year, people believed that would be the end of the matter. It became apparent as the years passed that, because of the way of the world, the size of the American economy and the fact that the border between Mexico and the US stretches to 2,700 miles — the border with Canada is also quite long — an increasing number of undocumented people, particularly those from the south, were pouring in. The vast majority of undocumented people in the US are nationals from Mexico, Central America and South America. I suggest that the percentage is 90% to 95%.

The Irish experience involved the emigration of mainly single males and females going back to pre-Famine days. Due to increased security restrictions along the border between Mexico and the US and the existence of "coyotes"— mercenaries who operate on the southern side in particular and who charge individuals and families significant sums of money to get them across — there has been an explosion of undocumented families, particularly in the frontline border states of Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas. Recent census statistics from President Bush's home state of Texas indicate that non-Americans make up more than 50% of the population and they outnumber Americans.

If anybody knows about undocumented illegals President Bush does, and it is reflected in his commitment to push a meaningful legislative emigration reform programme through both Houses. As a result of this, a number of Congressmen in the frontline States — I use the generic word Congressman in a non-gender manner — are deeply hostile to this Bill and will vote against it. That they have joined in the battle means it is far from over.

I had the privilege of visiting the United States on three occasions since last May. On the first occasion, my friend and colleague, Deputy Cregan, and I represented Fianna Fáil. In June I was part of a Foreign Affairs delegation which also included my colleague Senator Bradford. Last month I was privileged to have been asked to participate in an annual bilateral discussion in what is known loosely as the Irish American parliamentary association. Outside of the British-Irish Interparliamentary Body, it is the only interparliamentary organisation of Irish and other politicians that meets regularly in the respective home countries. We go there one year and then they come to us. It is another indication of the strong links at political level between Ireland and the United States, apart from those in the business, social and economic life of the United States outlined in the Minister's speech.

I stated this is an historic event because it is the first time the two Houses of the Oireachtas have responded to a specific request from a senior-ranking US Senator, who reached out to his Irish cousins and asked them to give him public support for the legislation he and Senator Kennedy have proposed. Senators Kennedy and McCain specifically requested this and I was privileged to have been present when the request was made to the delegation. In that context, I reiterate my deep appreciation for the alacrity with which the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, acted once it became apparent this request had been formally and officially made. It was more than coincidental that he was on official duties in New York during that week. He was able to act and respond immediately to the advice he received from the delegation, his party colleagues and, importantly, from the Irish Embassy in Washington led by the ambassador, Mr. Noel Fahy. The Minister rightly mentioned that.

I wish to put on the record and acknowledge the outstanding contribution the Irish Embassy made to ensure doors were open to us on all of our visits, including those of the highest-ranking politicians on the hill, and also the manner in which the embassy staff were able to interpret the political environment in which we operated. They gave us the advice we required to engage in talks to convince a number of US politicians of the existence of an Irish dimension to what they perceived until this year as an exclusively Mexican and Central and South American problem. It surprised a number of long-standing sympathetic Irish-American politicians that an Irish dimension existed. They had not come across it, even in their home states.

That returns to the point made by the Minister on the numbers involved. This is not a numbers game, but inevitably the question arises as to how many were involved. Nobody can answer with any degree of certainty but the figure quoted in the Minister's speech is a fair average. Even if only 1,000 or 5,000 are affected as has been stated here, those individuals and their families suffer personal anguish on a weekly and monthly basis whenever a family event occurs. If it is a happy event one can sigh with some sympathy and express pity that the person did not make it home for a birth, confirmation or communion. However, as is the case in a number of instances of which I and my colleagues are aware, it can involve a death or lingering illness and there is no chance a son or daughter will see his or her mother or father alive again. Usually the person involved has been in the United States for approximately ten years and the pain of returning to Ireland is in leaving behind all that has been built up over those ten years, knowing once he or she returns to Ireland he or she will not be able to get back to the United States within the lifetime of the individual he or she has come to see. Under the visa waiver programme, if one overstays by more than 12 months, one is debarred from re-entering the United States for ten years, and in the present security climate there is no guarantee one would be allowed to return even then. That is the harsh reality for a significant number of Irish families in practically every constituency in the country, especially in constituencies with a tradition of emigration, such as my own.

My county has haemorrhaged people. In 1841 it had a population of 240,000 and the last census recorded a population of 26,000. Most of them went to the United States. I feel so passionately about this issue and issues relating to the Irish diaspora because of my personal experience and the fact that I am a former emigrant. As I have often stated in this House, I understand to some degree the pain of emigration because I had to leave. It was not a voluntary decision.

I concur with the comments made that those involved are good Americans in the American context and they pay taxes. The problem must be addressed. The President of the United States indicated his full support for an emigration reform programme. Senators McCain and Kennedy, who are bipartisan and come from both sides of the House, are fully committed to this Bill. In the previous meetings to which I referred, the mood was not one of great confidence. However, I hope Senator Ryan will speak on this later and confirm that after we met with Senator McCain in September we left buoyed with confidence that this Bill would be successful. When one considers that Senator McCain, a senior-ranking Republican tipped to be a possible presidential candidate in 2008, gave us 50 minutes of his time it gives an indication of his commitment to this issue.

In the short time left to me I wish to acknowledge all initiatives taken by the Government to help the Irish abroad, not only those in the American context but to that closest to me, namely, those in England. In particular, I acknowledge the initiative taken to allow those in receipt of pre-1953 pensions, which accounts for approximately 70% of the Irish in Britain, to enjoy a 50% increase in their pensions on top of their UK pensions. It has cost the Irish taxpayer €100 million and it is money well spent. It has been outstandingly successful and I acknowledge the role of the Federation of Irish Societies in particular for ensuring the passage of information, as did two national newspapers representing the Irish, the Irish Post and the Irish World.

I also compliment the Minister on establishing the emigrants abroad unit. I am pleased to see Ms Síle Maguire is in the House to advise the Minister. I have dealt with her particularly on the issue of the Irish in Britain and she is an outstanding public servant. I hope she conveys our thanks and appreciation to the head of that unit, Mr. Seán Farrell, for his outstanding work.

I appreciate the Leas-Chathaoirleach is indulging me with regard to speaking time. My final point is to suggest that the Minister might consider changing the law to permit US citizens, particularly students, who wish to experience Ireland extend their stay. Similar legislation might then be passed in the United States to allow young Irish people extend their stay. According to the law in both countries, one can only stay for three months and one cannot work or stay beyond that point. Increasingly, young Irish people are not travelling to the United States and many Irish-Americans and American nationals wish to visit Ireland because it is the place to be. This would further bilateral relations between the two countries. We know from our discussions with American politicians that they would welcome this legislation and I ask the Minister to pursue this in his dealings with them and his colleagues in Cabinet. This is an historic and significant day for the House. I fully support the motion on which I have been privileged to speak. I wish the Minister and his staff continued success.

Mary Henry (Independent)
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I wish to share time with Senators O'Toole and Norris.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Is that agreed? Agreed.

Mary Henry (Independent)
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I am glad the Minister has given extra money to the various organisations that deal with emigrants because, like Senator Mooney, I believe there will be significant opposition to the Kennedy-McCain Bill and the other items of legislation aimed at helping undocumented people in the United States. It is important to remember that the legislation does not solely relate to undocumented Irish people. In fact, they are a very small part of what is seen in the United States as a most serious problem. One need only look at the physical changes made on Capitol Hill in terms of the bunkers built there to realise the change in the mentality that has taken place in the United States since the attacks on the twin towers of the World Trade Centre.

The terrorist attacks were particularly terrible for a people who promote globalisation that leads to a greater movement of not just capital but also labour. Every country must be in a position to close its borders, particularly in order to exclude people with diseases and so forth. This shock has been most terrible for the United States. I foresee serious problems in bringing forward the Bill.

While I support what the Minister is trying to do, I hope that, in the context of what we are asking the United States to do, he will reciprocate in terms of immigrants to this country——

David Norris (Independent)
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Hear, hear.

Mary Henry (Independent)
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——and that he will take the recommendations of the Immigrant Council of Ireland seriously and bring them forward. Anyone who saw the recent production of the Arthur Miller play, "A View from the Bridge", which deals with the terror faced by illegal Italian immigrants should realise that a similar terror is faced by immigrants to a country where their documentation is not deemed proper and should be sympathetic about people who have come here as well as those who left this country for the United States.

I substituted for Senator Quinn at a meeting of the Joint Committee on European Affairs last week. Some members of the committee were extremely tough on those who came before it to speak about human trafficking in this country. It was stated that referring to vague numbers was not enough and that those present would be obliged to arrive at exact numbers so that the Minister, Deputy McDowell, would be more sympathetic to their case. However, that is all we can do regarding the number of illegal Irish people in the United States. We do not know if there are 5,000, 25,000 or 50,000 such individuals.

The Minister should ensure that a sympathetic approach is taken to people who are in this country illegally. They may not have been smuggled into Ireland but may have come here legally on work permits. As work permits are held by employers, employees can easily have part of their wages creamed off to pay for them. Pay is the wrong word to use; it is really a form of blackmail designed to keep people in particular jobs. Such people are in most vulnerable positions because if an employer withdraws a work permit, the employee will then have to leave the country. I ask the Minister to examine this matter.

I hope the authorities in the United States will look at the figures for legal immigration into that country. The number was lower last year than has been the case for three decades. It has become so difficult to enter the United States that people are now choosing to seek entry to other English speaking countries such as Canada or Australia or to states of the European Union other than Ireland. This year, the American ambassador, Mr. Kenny, was reduced to going around the universities to encourage students to apply for J1 visas so they would go to the United States, work there and at least get a flavour of the American way of life which so many of us experienced in the past. I ask that it be put to those in the United States who are opposed to the Bill that people are already there who may be ready to become splendid citizens of a country where fewer legal immigrants are arriving.

Joe O'Toole (Independent)
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I thank Senator Henry for sharing time. I welcome the Minister and concur with the support expressed for him and the motion. It is important that we look at this issue in a way that can make a difference for young Irish people in the United States.

It is most important that we say to those people on Capitol Hill who oppose this proposed legislation that every single economy in the world that has had an influx of immigrants has reaped a significant reward and benefit in the following generation. The children of immigrants have always proven to make a significant injection into the economy in which they live. Many young Irish people have arrived in foreign places with an eagerness to contribute and they now find themselves in a position where they cannot obtain driving licences and where simple matters such as banking are almost impossible. The same is true of attending a doctor, providing or gaining a medical history, getting married or obtaining the documentation people need for their daily lives. Life is proving impossible for these undocumented, illegal people in the United States. Difficulties are also encountered when it comes to insurance, particularly medical insurance, and even simple things such as credit cards.

These people are forced into a black economy. They are obliged to enter the shadows and not participate in the everyday work and life of the society in which they live. They are cast as criminals even though they have done nothing illegal in terms of their daily activities. As has already been said, they are paying taxes, adding to productivity and making a serious contribution to the economy of the United States. However, they are unacknowledged, unrecognised, undocumented and invisible within that country's economy.

Any efforts the Minister makes will be supported by groups on all sides. Perhaps there are not many votes in this and for that reason it reflects well on Irish political life that people from both sides can come together in both Houses to say that they want something done for the individuals in question. We are all aware of families where parents worry every single night about their son or daughter in the United States who does not have the comfort and protection of citizenship, legality, etc. There is also the concern regarding whether they can get treatment if something happens to them. It is unlikely that they can ever come home for family occasions, be they occasions of sorrow or joy. They are effectively in exile.

That is why it is important from our point of view that we look at what is required on Capitol Hill. Is it possible that the State, under the control and authority of the Irish ambassador to Washington, would organise a full briefing of all the people who are worried about this matter on Capitol Hill. They should lobby all the people over there, put the points to them and see what we can give back. Senator Mooney made an important point about some reciprocation in terms students from the United States coming to Ireland so that there would be flexibility in movement between the two countries. That is something important which should be done. The easiest way for this to be achieved would be if there was no longer any need for Irish people travelling to and from the United States to obtain visas. In this global society, we should be seen as a benign nation and there should be a free movement of labour between both economies. It would not be a significant problem for either side to come to arrangement on this.

It is up to us to show the support of these Houses to Senators McCain, Kennedy and others who have taken an important step to recognise the unrecognised and to give life back to these lost people in the Unites States' economy, namely, the illegal Irish immigrants who are marginalised, excluded and vulnerable. They are prevented from participation and it behoves us to do our best for them.

In 1988 I raised in this House the importance of giving emigrants a voice in Irish society. I still believe there is a case for giving a restricted representation for emigrants in the Houses of the Oireachtas. I am not referring to an out-of-control proposal that would suddenly result in Irish emigrants in the United States or United Kingdom running Irish politics or dictating Irish policies. We would establish a line of contact were we to give representation and a voice to Irish emigrants, in this House in particular but perhaps also in the other House. This could and should be done and it would bring us closer to understanding the needs, worries and concerns of those about whom we speak.

In 1988, when I made this proposal, I could not obtain any support from the main political parties. Some time later, some Members on the Fine Gael Front Bench supported it. There is certainly wider support for it today. In this regard, Senator Mooney has supported my view on a number of occasions. When I spoke on this subject in 1988 I got a very good reception in London. However, I read an Irish emigrant newspaper — I forget which one — the following week and, to my surprise, I noted I was being castigated for making an appalling proposal. I looked at the name of the person who wrote the article and who had a go at my proposal to support Irish emigrants and I noted it was a person I had not heard of or seen before. It was somebody called Conor Lenihan, an Irish emigrant working in the United Kingdom. Twenty years later he has become a Minister of State in this country. Maybe he has changed his mind on the matter in the meantime.

I wish the Minister of State, Deputy Treacy, well with this motion.

David Norris (Independent)
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I am happy to add my strong support to this important initiative. We are very lucky to have friends in the United States such as Senators Kennedy and McCain and representatives Kolbe, Flake and Gutierrez. We are also lucky to have former Taoiseach, John Bruton, nicely positioned in Washington as European Union representative. I am sure he would never consider abusing that position but it is always valuable to have people present to create a climate of opinion.

I am curious as to why there seems to be so much dispute about the figures. The United States Government seems to believe there are 3,000 illegal Irish immigrants. Others say there are 50,000 and the Minister says there are approximately 25,000. He suggested some kind of computer tracking but this seems to have fizzled out.

In his speech, the Minister stated: "In the aftermath of the tragic events of 11 September, the United States Government moved quickly and decisively to confront the threat of terrorism at home." In spite of all my goodwill towards the United States, I do not agree with that statement. Its Government moved clumsily and ineffectively to address the threat. It actually inhibited seriously the civil and human rights of its own citizens and those of people seeking to enter the United States, either for travel or business, or permanently.

The United States has traditionally experienced mass immigration. In all countries, including our own, people get pernickety over these issues. I sometimes wonder how legal was the mass influx of people into America, North and South, in the initial stages. Did anybody invite the people in, were they vetted and did they have proper permits? We flooded the United States with European people who wiped out as many members of the indigenous population as they could. On the penetration of the United States from Mexico, most of the people concerned are the descendants of people who were in North America long before the Untied States was every contemplated. This is a little ironic.

Figures from Homeland Security statistics suggest that, between 1981 and 1990, Ireland contributed 31,969 people. In the ten-year period from 1991 to 2000, this figure rose to 56,900, which is almost 60,000. However, in 2001, this number dropped to between 1,000 and 1,500 and remained at approximately this level ever since. This tells a tale. Between 2000 and 2004, some 273 Irish people were actually deported from the United States. This also shows a change in attitude in that country.

Although I am sometimes a critic of the Roman Catholic Church, I believe it, including some of its current and past bishops, among them Bishop Eamon Casey, has done very remarkable, generous and good-hearted work on behalf of Irish emigrants in both Britain and the United States. It was very interesting that Bishop Seamus Hegarty launched the initiative Supporting the Irish Abroad. I read a very interesting article by Fr. Michael Leonard, who drew a very interesting comparison between the slavery of Saint Patrick in Ireland and the conditions of Irish emigrants abroad. He states: "Because many of them are 'illegal' they are forced to work longer hours for less wages and with none of the benefits, which are available to the rest of the work force." Let me put this in a particular context and refer to a statement by a very distinguished female cleric, Sr. Stanislaus Kennedy, who has worked tirelessly for the poor of this country. She stated migrant workers on work permits in Ireland tend to be in low-paid work, often below the minimum wage, and that finding good quality affordable accommodation can be difficult. She also claimed that, as work permits are of a temporary nature, there is little guarantee of permanent employment and that, as a result, people are forced to stay in rented accommodation. Is it not interesting to put these two views together?

The people Sr. Stanislaus Kennedy refers to are migrant workers, who are in the country legally. What about the asylum seekers and refugees? Although I support the initiative under discussion, I cry shame on a Government that does not see the discrepancy between what it is asking the United States to do for our people and the way in which we treat people who come to this country in identical circumstances. We have forgotten the nature of the Irish experience in Britain and America. It is shameful. It is inappropriate for Ministers to trot around telling cock and bull stories to the effect that many asylum seekers are bogus without stating any referenced facts.

Let me put on the record the case of a Nigerian man who came here in 2000, as I did some days ago on the Order of Business. In that year he applied for refugee status in Ireland on humanitarian grounds but was denied. On 11 September, that extraordinary date, he was found washed up in Skerries after having committed suicide. He was denied the right to stay in this country and was to be forcibly repatriated. He killed himself on foot of a deportation order. This was not a cock and bull story but the story of somebody who felt the alternative of taking his own life was preferable to returning to the country in which he had been born. We, as citizens of this country, with all our privileges, should bear that in mind and remember that the experience of such people entering our country must be considered with the same sensitivity we request from the authorities in the United States.

Let me conclude by quoting one of the most splendid politicians of the past 30 or 40 years, that is, Senator Edward Kennedy. When in America I have often watched him on C-SPAN television. He is not in the glare of publicity but is working hard and with real political intelligence and moral commitment on a raft issues. He really got it right when he stated: "We offer a fair deal: if they are willing to work hard for us openly, then we're willing to do something fair for them. It's long past time to put the underground economy, above ground, and recognize the reality of immigrants in our workforce." Hear, hear, say I. However, let us learn this lesson ourselves and apply it to the circumstances in our own jurisdiction and not just try to teach it to the Americans.

Michael Kitt (Fianna Fail)
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I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Treacy, to the House and congratulate him and the Minister, Deputy Dermot Ahern, on the work they are doing on this very important issue. I read with interest and very much welcomed the Minister's statement on this motion in the Dáil. I compliment Senator Mooney and the Members of this House who have travelled to the United States on a number of occasions to raise the issue. Senator Mooney mentioned he has done so on three occasions this year.

The Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs has had much discussion on this matter. One of the committee's positive initiatives was to invite the US ambassador, Mr. Kenny, to one of its meetings to discuss it. There was some controversy at the time because he wanted to hold the meeting in private. Indeed, as it transpired, he was well able to handle the matter and he would have had no difficulty if the meeting had been public. He made the important point that he deals with many of the matters regarding the undocumented in private. It was a useful meeting. That we met him and his staff at the embassy meant that we were able to contact him about many of the concerns we have about people we know. We all have relatives and friends in the United States. As Galway representatives, the Minister of State, Deputy Treacy, and I are aware that this issue is very relevant to that county. It was great to meet the ambassador and to have a good discussion with him.

I made a point that day which has been raised by other Members as regards American students or citizens in this country. They seem to be treated badly, even in terms of work permits and matters relating to the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. I cannot understand why American students have to return home so quickly from this country. There should be an extension of time, as recommended by many of the Senators who spoke before me. We welcome all citizens of the European Union, but we do not know them as well as we do the people and representatives of the United States of America. There is a glaring inconsistency in the manner in which the members of one jurisdiction are treated by comparison with members of the other.

I brought the issue of a highly qualified chef from the United States to the notice of the Minister of State with responsibility for trade and employment and indeed, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. Unfortunately, the person was forced to return to the United States because it was felt there were too many chefs in the country. That is something that should be examined. This person was highly qualified in the area of Japanese cuisine and that is not common in Ireland. We must put our house in order as regards such issues because we cannot continually say that more needs to be done for our Irish emigrants if we are not prepared to review the situation in respect of people who come here from the United States. I have asked the US ambassador to Ireland, Mr. Kenny, to look at that situation, also.

I was in New York in May at a meeting concerned with the nuclear non-proliferation treaty around the same time that Senator Mooney was in Washington. At a break in proceedings, after listening to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, it was interesting to talk to people we met from Ireland, above all the embassy staff in New York. They told us of some of the difficulties in which Irish people find themselves when trying to get work. As Senator O'Toole said, there is obviously a black economy there, because people are not able to get their tax affairs in order. We heard many stories, for example, if a person is being charged with a driving offence as simple as not having the correct lights on, it means that not only is he or she in trouble — all the passengers are too. There might be a disturbance in a house where all those resident, not only the culprit, find themselves in difficulty.

I cannot understand why, when a person is in difficulty in, say, Boston, he or she can be taken away without their families being contacted for up to three or four days. In some instances of which I am aware, people have been transferred from Boston to New York and there is enormous difficulty in making contact. We have raised this issue with our ambassador and I hope this area will be improved on. I am aware that I am citing particular examples but the overall issue of importance is to get the Kennedy-McCain Bill enacted. I want to compliment Senators McCain and Kennedy, whom I have met, as well as members of the House of Representatives, who are employing might and main to resolve this issue. There has been lobbying in the past as regards Morrison and Donnelly visas and a great deal of work was done in getting those through. There was the issue of a lottery to decide who should get visas. In some instances people were somewhat disappointed at the manner in which that was handled. It was at least an attempt to try to deal with the issue of a great many Irish people who were undocumented. There is much more work to do, however. Even though there was a good deal of emigration in the 1980s, there are very many Irish people out there now who possess a far greater spirit of adventure than existed in my time as a teenager. People are travelling and Irish people are certainly on the move. We all want to see issues concerning the undocumented dealt with.

Senator O'Toole made the point about representation for emigrants in a general way and I am totally in agreement with him. In the past we examined the possibility of voting rights for emigrants. If the vote for emigrants to the US were allowed, Deputy Treacy and I would be campaigning in Boston rather than east Galway, given the great numbers of Irish domiciled in some of the US cities. As regards representation for emigrants in the Oireachtas, the Seanad is an obvious place for such an initiative. Great work has been done by some organisations in cities throughout Europe and, indeed, the United States. The DION funding, which the Minister has increased this year, is obviously a very important mechanism for them. I hope we can continue to increase that.

I again welcome this debate. We could discuss a great many issues. In conclusion, President Bush has rightly been criticised for many of the issues in which he was involved, the war in Iraq in particular, as discussed often in this House. However, this is one that he supports strongly and which he knows is of enormous importance for Irish immigrants as well as many other nationalities. He could make his mark in this regard by accepting that this is a good Bill worthy of his support. Hopefully, this legislation will be enacted in the United States.

Brendan Ryan (Labour)
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Even though there are only about six Members in the Chamber, this debate is quite astonishing, in the most positive sense. Seanad Éireann is replicating what was done in Dáil Éireann. The initiative in both Houses arose because one of the most influential members of the US Senate told us that it would be of assistance to himself and Senator Kennedy in achieving something. This is not a matter of government to government or official to official. It is members of one parliament talking to members of another and, as Senator Mooney can confirm, without any pressure from any of the Irish delegation. We were immensely grateful that Senator John McCain devoted an hour of his day to talking to us. As any Member who has sat in the Chair of this House will know, we Irish parliamentarians do not use one sentence when we can use ten. I do not suggest, for a second, that I am different from anyone else in that regard.

It was an extraordinarily wide-ranging and interesting discussion. At the end, the Ceann Comhairle, as leader of the group, asked whether there was anything we could do to assist Senator McCain. He volunteered that it would be useful to him on the floor of Congress if both Houses of the Irish Parliament were to passed a resolution in support of the Bill he and Senator Kennedy have proposed and its equivalent in the House of Representatives. The Irish Embassy in Washington, whose staff, as always, were most helpful to our parliamentary delegation, was more than happy to arrange this.

At the risk of sounding a little querulous, although not about other Senators, a smart-arsed journalist — excuse my language, a Chathaoirleach — could have described the visit of seven or eight Members of the Oireachtas to Washington as a junket at the taxpayers' expense. The only reason none has done so is that journalists did not notice our trip. The visit may have been paid for by taxpayers but journalists would not have reported on the progress we made which would not otherwise have been possible. While any Oireachtas delegation visiting Washington would have been as successful as we were, our visit was a worthwhile step in the process of attrition. We were not the first nor will we be the last group of parliamentarians to visit Capitol Hill to discuss issues with Members of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The objective is to renew acquaintances, listen to them and try to advance issues through persuasion. The combined work of the Government and Members of the Oireachtas at different levels and playing different roles achieved this goal.

The issue of the undocumented Irish in America is a poignant reminder of where Ireland used to be and what it has become in a positive sense. In the early 1980s, when my first child was four or five years old, everyone of my age faced the prospect that their children would emigrate because Ireland did not offer them a future. It is difficult to recall how grim this country was at the time. It was probably on the brink of experiencing what Argentina, another country in the developed world, went through when it was in serious danger of sliding backwards.

Many of the thousands of young people who left Ireland out of necessity had their status resolved thanks to the goodwill of members of the US Congress. The remaining 25,000 Irish emigrants in the United States — we will not know the figure until the issue of undocumented Irish in the US is resolved — are a little like Oisín i ndiaidh na Féinne in that the world has changed in Ireland and the US. The undocumented Irish need our support because this is no longer the country they left and the United States is no longer the country they entered, having become much colder towards illegal immigrants since the attacks of 11 September 2001. Ireland has also changed as a result of new problems and prosperity.

But for the diligence of Members other than me — I did not campaign vigorously on the issue — the undocumented emigrants could have been forgotten. It is a tribute to both Houses, perhaps more so than the Government, that the issue has been vigorously advanced by all sides of the political spectrum and progress is in prospect. The apparent support of President Bush, to which Senator McCain adverted, is extremely important.

The intensity of emotion generated by the alleged flood of immigrants in some staunchly republican states such as Arizona, from which Senator McCain hails, requires political courage from the Senator and the President. Senator McCain had no compunction about describing some of the response to immigration as racist. His reasonable position is that he wants to regularise immigrants with a view to developing a sustainable, enforceable policy on immigration.

It is clear that if the issue at stake was confined to the position of 25,000 undocumented Irish people, it would be solved in half an hour. The complication is the fear of an invasion of millions of Hispanics. The irony, however, is that large parts of the economy of the United States, particularly in the southern states, would not function without 10 million illegal immigrants. The McCain-Kennedy proposal is an attempt to address the problem.

The generosity shown by Senator McCain is a remarkable example of the way in which the US political system works. Although a republican — some of his comments about the German economy defined his view of what a republican would be in the United States — the Senator does not conform to any stereotype on a range of issues. For this reason, he is more likely to have considerable influence. As Senator Mooney noted, his favourite writers are Roddy Doyle and William Trevor.

Senator McCain's capacity to be generous and forgive those in Vietnam against whom he could in the eyes of many legitimately feel something other than warmth and forgiveness could be copied by many people on this island in respect of the tradition to which we give our allegiances. He has obviously achieved full reconciliation and told us, for example, that he is probably more widely recognised in Saigon than in some cities in the United States. He is a good example of a person who has forgiven, moved on and left history to others.

This is a unique opportunity. Like everyone else, I have friends of my own age or somewhat older who have undocumented children in the United States. One such friend has three successful children with good earning capacity in the United States. All of them are illegal and unable to come home and must instead receive visits from their parents. It is worth remembering that most illegal emigration to the United States occurred about 20 years ago. As the parents of the emigrants in question are 20 years older, they are less likely to be able to travel and more likely to be sick. Moreover, the emigrants are also aging and face all sorts of complications. Unfortunately, if this issue is not resolved, a number of them will be unlikely to visit their parents at home again or, given their parents' age, unlikely to see them in the United States again.

As I stated, this is an extraordinary moment because we are passing a resolution in both Houses of the Irish Parliament in order to encourage movement on legislation — at the request of the people sponsoring it — in another sovereign parliament. We are doing it, not because we are interfering or endeavouring to do so, but because we were asked to. It is something we should be glad to do. I am glad to do it. I am glad the Government parties responded as quickly as they did and tabled a motion, which seems eminently sensible and which I and my party will enthusiastically support.

Mary Henry (Independent)
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I remind the Fianna Fáil Senators more of them are offering than there will be time for them to speak. They might consider either making shorter contributions or sharing time.

Timmy Dooley (Fianna Fail)
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I will assist the Chair in that I may not use the full time available to me. If there is time remaining I would be happy to give it to any of my colleagues.

I welcome this debate and I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Treacy, to the House. Like me, he comes from the west and knows theimplications of this debate and of the ultimate passage of this Bill on many families throughout the west, in particular, but also throughout the country.

I am delighted to see that Senator McCain and Senator Kennedy, who have had such a prominent role in promoting Irish affairs in the United States, have come together on a cross-party basis to put this kind of proposal before the US Senate with the support of the US House of Representatives. Many of us who have travelled to the United States over the years have had the opportunity to meet with Senators and Congressmen, particularly those who support the Irish cause and those who would see themselves as part of the strong Irish lobby. For many years other named individuals, such as former Senator Morrison, who supported Bills on visas have had the best interests of the Irish people at heart in trying to frame certain measures and policies to alleviate the kind of difficulties our emigrants have been encountering. This is the boldest effort to date in terms of trying to redress the situation that has evolved over the years and is a breath of fresh air to many families.

It is clear that people succeeded for many years in finding ways around a system that existed and, with the acceptance, to some extent, of the US authorities in recognising that people found various means of beating the system to return to Ireland on occasion and then to get back to their workplace and, in many cases, to their families and friends. With the clampdown following 11 September 2001, the kind of procedures that have been put in place on all borders leading to the United States have created a difficult situation for many families. Considering the kind of representations which we receive, I have seen a notable increase in the concerns of families because many of their sons and daughters have not been able to return for happy occasions like weddings and, much more sadly, for the funerals of mothers, fathers, uncles and aunts. That is what has brought about much of the trauma associated with this matter. It is clear that a real effort is being made in the United States. It is also good to see that both Houses here are taking this proactive approach and that there is acceptance of it across the political divide.

The problem has been exaggerated in the United States where for many years individuals saw themselves as being there for a short period, building up the necessary reserves to come back, buy a plot of land, build a house and set up a family. In many cases that did not happen, however, and many such individuals went on to get married in the United States and set up families and homes within an economy of which they were a part, often paying taxes through their social security numbers but yet not enjoying the rights applicable to those with the proper legal documentation. That was particularly sad. The position of such people needs to be addressed without delay.

I compliment the various efforts, not only of the named individuals in the United States but particularly of those many other Congressmen and Senators who do not necessarily always get marked down as pushing the Irish agenda but who are very much doing so behind the scenes in assisting the other Senators on this. I also compliment the efforts of others, not only of the Ministers and the Taoiseach for their work but also of the Oireachtas delegations mentioned which have been involved and which have worked on a parliament to parliament basis to bring about the necessary changes.

The religious orders also have played an important role, in working with the communities in the United States in a quiet way and in working with the people who have fallen through the cracks having travelled to the other side of the ocean, who have not succeeded in getting work or who have not succeeded in sustaining the pace of life over there. The kind of work to which I refer in particular is done by the Irish emigration centres and other support groups, which have been in place to assist, as they have in England and in other jurisdictions. I would be familiar with the situation, particularly along the east coast, both in Boston and New York, and I have seen the tremendous work that has been done.

It is also worth noting in a debate like this, not for any reason but to show how much has changed in a few years, that there is now little emigration to the United States whereas 20 or 30 years ago, and long ago, it was a necessity because of the economic situation here. It is particularly helpful that this economy is now in a position to welcome back many of those who emigrated to the US over the years and I hope that trend can continue.

It would be remiss of me not to mention the efforts of the Irish diplomatic service, and our ambassadors and the staff within our permanent offices in the US who continually battle and work with both sides on resolving the detail of the necessary legislation to ensure that a Bill could be introduced. The politicians, like all good ones, appear when the final work is done. While they set a policy framework, detailed discussions and work is done elsewhere.

I have visited the United States on many occasions and have met with many of these individuals. I have seen the difficulties which they have endured. We need to continue the lobbying effort because there are other issues relating to other ethnic groups. These would have a much greater impact on the economy of the United States because of the numbers involved and would have a desire to see their situations regularised. We must continue our efforts to ensure that we do not get sidetracked by those issues. There are probably reasons that the Irish case is different, largely, we would argue, because of the historic nature of the initial Irish emigration in building the foundation blocks of the United States and the need recognise such effort now by ensuring that our more recent emigrants are catered for in a proper way.

There were a couple of references made to our own policies on immigration. We need to look into our hearts and decide on this issue, and work towards proper immigration policies. There has been an effort to draw parallels, but I am not so sure that they are as obvious as some would seek to suggest. It is definitely the case that there are people who come to this country well intentioned. Probably the vast majority of them come very well intentioned and their reputation is sullied to some extent by those who come with dubious ideas regarding the social welfare system, a system which our emigrants did not have in the United States.

Notwithstanding that the parallels are not as obvious as some would seek to suggest, there are people who come to this country seeking asylum who where clearly being victimised in their own countries and whose lives were at risk. There are genuine cases and these must be addressed. There is also the issue, of course, that people wish to travel here for economic reasons, which is the same reason many of our people travelled to the United States, and we must address that in a serious and careful way.

This is not to suggest that we should open the floodgates simply because the United States is looking kindly on us in this particular circumstance. For many years the authorities there did not do so and they deported at will because they needed an immigration policy that respected the economic reality of their country, namely, that it could not provide for everybody in every other jurisdiction in the world which was in economic difficulty. Our social welfare system has probably made us somewhat more attractive than other destinations and whatever policy is ultimately brought forward must balance all of that. Nevertheless, I wholeheartedly support what the Government, the Seanad, the Oireachtas and all parties are doing in regard to this issue and hope that we can continue to assist in whatever way we can to ensure that this Bill is finally enacted.

James Bannon (Fine Gael)
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I welcome the Minister of State to the Seanad to debate this important issue.

Many politicians, not just Oireachtas Members but also local public representatives, visit the United States for St. Patrick's Day festivities and get a huge welcome. We only need to visit America to recognise that it has a long history of welcoming people, not just immigrants but perhaps even illegal or undocumented immigrants. The US welcoming philosophy is inscribed on the Statue of Liberty in the immortal words inviting the world to "give us your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free".

American immigration policy has the appearance on paper of being fair, reasonable and highly regulated, but it is in urgent need of reform. A climate exists whereby immigrants are forced to go underground, living on the outskirts of society. In many cases US resources are being spent tracking those who wish to live on the right side of the law, rather than those with more sinister agendas.

The Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act 2005 was introduced in May 2005, by Senators Edward Kennedy and John McCain, but no new law has been passed nor is any new legislation in place to date. I hope the debate in this House and that held in the Dáil will help the legislation to progress.

The Act has four main elements, namely, earned legislation, which gives undocumented immigrants living and working in the United States the opportunity to earn their legal status; family reunification, which would increase the per-country limits for family based and employment based immigrants; future workers, which addresses the future flow of immigrant workers by creating a new H5A temporary visa which will allow foreign workers fill available jobs in the United States; and immigration enforcement, which enhances national security and creates the means to produce a new well functioning immigration system with regard to border security, biometric immigration documents and a new employment confirmation system.

Several figures have been bandied about today. However, with a figure of from 5,000 to 50,000 undocumented Irish in the United States — the upper figure being the more credible — the Act's proposals are welcome. The Government must lobby strongly for the implementation of the Kennedy-McCain proposals with the utmost urgency.

In common with the figures for the constituencies of every Member of the Oireachtas, a significant number of emigrants from Longford, Westmeath and the midlands area have gone to the United States over the past 25 to 30 years. They, their families and friends at home are conscious of the shadow under which they live their lives. My concern, along with that of my colleagues for emigrants from their parts of the country, is the fear and uncertainty experienced by undocumented Irish workers, most of whom have filled and hold essential jobs, who face the spectre of deportation, leading to the break-up of families, loss of income, ruined career prospects and the inability to return to America after visits home to relations and friends. Senator Mooney and others mentioned some of these who return for funerals or to visit terminally ill parents and relatives.

With a figure of 12 million illegal immigrants living in the United States, it could be argued that the Irish numbers are relatively low. However, it is up to the Government to ensure that their fate is not pushed aside and lost in the fierce debate on immigration, particularly with regard to the 1 million Mexicans who cross the border every year. No undocumented Irish people will present themselves to the immigration authorities without the protection this legislation would give them. Not only are many of them in well paid skilled work, but many are employers who contribute to the US economy. They have fallen victim to the reaction to the attacks of 11 September 2001, which makes a general amnesty on the lines of the Bruce Morrison visa scheme impossible. However, the Bill as drawn up by Senators Kennedy and McCain would allow previously illegal immigrants to begin the process of legalisation of their status, provided they have no previous criminal record and they pay a small fine.

It goes without saying that despite our anxiety to protect and assist our people, the best interest of the US must be protected. The proposed legislation must take its place in line and compete with a time of war, the appointment of a Supreme Court Justice, a major row over the leaking of an undercover operative's name and the effort by President Bush to persuade the American people to invest a portion of their social security in the stock market.

The Secure America and Orderly Immigration Reform Act 2005 is in direct opposition to the Comprehensive Enforcement and Immigration Reform Act 2005, on the issue of earned legal residence. That Bill does not offer undocumented immigrants the potential to achieve legal status while remaining in America, but rather proposes to limit legal status to a renewable temporary worker visa after mandatory departure from the United States.

There is also a proposal to limit the number of diversity or Schumer visas. Even with the Republic and Northern Ireland qualifying separately, the number of such visas has declined in the past few years. This can be attributed to the fact that the Schumer visas are open to a large number of nations and draw millions of applications worldwide.

I welcome this motion as a chance to encourage this lame-duck Government to do everything it can to put the undocumented Irish on the right side of the law of their adopted country.

Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)
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What sort of Government?

James Bannon (Fine Gael)
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This lame-duck Government that does not protect our sick, our elderly and our pensioners, to which the Senator referred earlier.

Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)
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The Senator is calling it a lame-duck Government.

James Bannon (Fine Gael)
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Earlier Senator Leyden said it was an uncaring Government that has not looked after elderly people's interests.

Mary Henry (Independent)
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The Senators are using up the little remaining time available for this debate.

Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)
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It takes the two of them to break the consensus. They are like two spitting divils.

James Bannon (Fine Gael)
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Senator Leyden should not interrupt me on this issue when the Government has not looked after the elderly in the midlands over the past eight or ten years, as he pointed out on the Order of Business.

American society is one where even putting a child's name down for a week's summer camp at a local centre involves more form filling than we can imagine. To be undocumented in a culture such as this is akin to being an anxiety-ridden modern man in an unintelligible, hostile and indifferent world. This is not what we want for our largely forgotten Irish emigrants. I hope the Minister of State will take on board and support the motion before this House. Members have made a valuable contribution on this issue and it is important that their views and proposals reach Capitol Hill. We must broaden the debate and ensure that other US Senators, besides Senators Kennedy and McCain, take note of the issue and ensure the Bill passes through Congress and the US Senate.

Mary Henry (Independent)
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I remind Senators that only 15 minutes remain for the three Senators remaining to speak on this motion.

Eamon Scanlon (Fianna Fail)
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I wish to share time with Senator Leyden.

Mary Henry (Independent)
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Is that agreed? Agreed.

Eamon Scanlon (Fianna Fail)
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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.

Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)
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I thank Senator Scanlon for sharing time and I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Treacy.

It is unprecedented for both Houses of the Oireachtas to agree to declare their support for legislation that is before the US Houses of Congress. The actions of the Dáil and Seanad reflect the support for this proposal throughout the country. The proposed Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act, which has been sponsored by Senators Edward Kennedy and John McCain, is very worthwhile. It will help to support the estimated 10 million undocumented immigrants in the US. The number of undocumented Irish, about whom we are particularly concerned, is debatable. It does not really matter whether the estimate of 25,000 is more accurate than the estimate of 50,000 — the most important thing is to regulate their status. I will not labour the point that has already been made about the circumstances of such people.

I wish to comment on a case that came to my attention not long after I became a Senator. I was contacted at that time by the relatives of three young ladies from County Roscommon who are among the undocumented Irish in the US. The family in question, which was deeply concerned about the circumstances of the three young people, appealed to me to use my influence to help the women. I raised the matter in the Seanad by means of a motion in July 2004. The Leader of the House, Senator O'Rourke, contacted the Taoiseach, who then discussed the matter with the US President, Mr. Bush, who was very sympathetic.

The undocumented Irish in the US with whom I am familiar pay taxes and contribute to that country's economy. I appeal to the approximately 40 million Americans who can trace their ancestry to this country to use their influence at the next US presidential election. If this problem is not resolved, it should become a major issue during that election campaign. When Irish-Americans learn that this motion has received the unanimous support of the Irish Parliament, I hope they will use their significant influence at many levels throughout the US. Such people have traditionally been extremely willing to assist this country, such as, for example in the area of export trade.

I remind the House of the important support and assistance this country has given to the US. I refer to the courageous step taken by the Government when it decided to allow the US armed forces to use Shannon Airport. It received a great deal of abuse from many sources when it made that decision but it has maintained its stance. It is also important to consider that thousands of Irish-Americans are serving with the US defence forces in their missions abroad. My nephew, for example, has served in Iraq. Such people are courageous in their defence of the idealism of the United States of America. We can make a good case to the US Administration and the US President, Mr. Bush, that it is payback time. The US owes us a great debt of gratitude for what we have given to that country, just as we owe the US for its help as a friendly country.

I commend the Members of the House. including Senators Mooney, Ryan and Bradford, who have been very involved in this issue over many years. The Taoiseach, the Minister, Deputy Dermot Ahern and the Minister of State, Deputy Treacy, have also been very involved. The current Irish ambassador to the United States, Mr. Noel Fahey, who is a friend of mine since school — we sat beside each other in Roscommon CBS — is highly involved in issues of this nature. The Morrison and Donnelly visa schemes made a great contribution over many years. Mr. Brian Donnelly, who gave his name to the Donnelly visa scheme, has a close connection with south Roscommon. We have great friends in the United States.

I hope the motion before the House represents a step in the right direction. The united approach of both Houses of the Oireachtas in supporting the Government will achieve results. The Government and its officials will lead this country's campaign on this issue in the United States. The decisions of this House and the Dáil constitute the putting down of a significant marker. I hope and pray that we will get results. Every time this matter is raised in the Seanad, people in the US contact me to ask whether progress is being made. The undocumented Irish want to know there is hope and a possibility of light at the end of the tunnel. It is tragic that such people cannot return home for weddings, funerals and similar significant events. I hope the problems I have mentioned can be resolved.

Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)
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Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit.

It seems that good news is coming down the line for those unfortunate people who find themselves officially undocumented in the United States. I compliment everyone connected with that, including those to whom I referred. I single out the diplomatic service for its contribution. We are all aware of the magnificent service it provides to Irish citizens each day.

I have visited the United States every year for over 30 years. During that time I have had the opportunity to meet members of the Irish community in different circumstances and in respect of different activities. I refer, in particular, to those I have met in the context of my activities on behalf of Comhaltas CeoltóiríÉireann, which has 50 chapters throughout North America. One comes to realise that there is a great sense of community among the Irish abroad. It is not as if they are in some way a disparate body of people. That is by no means the case. We have seen this reflected in many ways by Americans, none moreso than President Clinton who made such a magnificent, hands-on contribution to the peace process in the North of Ireland. I would go so far as to say that without President Clinton in office at that time, matters might not be as advances as they stand at present. One of the reasons any US President would become involved in the affairs of this island is because of the huge respect for the Irish community in the US and the contribution they have made to the country of their adoption.

The quota system, which was introduced during the Kennedy era, impacted greatly on Ireland. At the time I happened to be in Cleveland, which was a stronghold for Mayo people. It is amazing what becomes a priority but what most worried the Irish there was that they would not have as many GAA players coming out to help the teams in the US.

Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)
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It remains a problem.

Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)
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Yes. It gave an indication of the community spirit which existed.

To return to the current proposals, some people have put on record the representations they were asked to make. I received a number of representations from counties in Munster, particularly Waterford and Tipperary. One involved the case of a young Irishman who married an American citizen. He was undocumented and when he returned home to visit his family he was not allowed to re-enter the US, although his wife was allowed to do so. She is now in the US and he remains in Ireland. While we have heard of sadder cases, these examples underline that all policies and legislation eventually come down to human interest and human considerations. We must keep that in mind. There has always been a special relationship between Ireland and America. That relationship is one which we could exploit, in the best meaning of the word, at this time. The right steps are now being taken through the contacts being made at legislative level.

I salute Senators Kennedy and McCain for the stand they are taking. An underlying courage is evident in their actions in light of the atrocities that occurred on 11 September 2001. As a previous speaker stated, we would be equally cautious if the matter involved this country. We wish the Senators well and compliment all who have been involved in any way in this regard. However, we should not take the passage of the Bill as a given. The 40 million people of Irish extraction and the many organisations in which they are involved must continue to lobby. I hope this can be undertaken in a more official way. For example, there is a well-compiled register of organisations of Irish background in the US. This should be called upon so communications can be sent in a subtle way to ensure these organisations use their clout on the ground. I have often felt that, despite our numbers, we did not always use our political clout in the United States as well as might have been the case. Despite members of the Irish community achieving presidential office, we did not always impact on legislation in the way other ethnic groups did. This is one case in which we need to use those organisations.

Noel Treacy (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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I have listened with interest and appreciation to the contributions made by all Senators. The quality of the debate is the best possible indication of the concern which Members have for our undocumented citizens in the United States. I am sure many in this House have received representations from family members in their constituencies about relatives in the US. As a public representative from the west, from where a substantial proportion of the undocumented come, I am acutely aware of the difficulties for those concerned and I have dealt with many cases in the past. The debate also reflects the genuine affection our people feel for the United States of America. This in part is a reflection of the tradition of westward emigration, which saw in the US a home for successive generations of Irish people. This tradition survives to some degree, although we no longer have involuntary emigration.

As the Minister stated earlier, the Kennedy-McCain Bill represents a comprehensive and bipartisan approach to reforming the immigration process and to resolving the issue of the undocumented. The issue, of course, is not simply one of numbers. Every individual and family has a story with its own difficulties and heartaches. The draft Bill seeks to address all of these in a sympathetic and humane fashion. The architects, who include not just the two leaders but also members of both parties in the US Congress, are to be warmly commended. It will be extremely encouraging for them to know they have the support and the deep appreciation of this House as they move the Bill forward.

As we have, this Bill is only one of a number at present before the US Congress. The others include a significant text introduced last July by Senators Kyl and Cornyn. We welcome all engagement on this political issue and recognise that different approaches are to be expected. One way in which the Kennedy-McCain Bill differs from that tabled by Senators Kyl and Cornyn is that it provides for a path to permanent residency status. This is of critical importance to our community.

It is still too early to say how the debate within Congress will develop in the period ahead. What is clear is that the US Administration and Congress have moved the immigration issue significantly up the priority scale and are keen to advance the debate. This is a major step forward. The role of President Bush may well be crucial in determining the final form the legislation will take. The reality is that the total number of the undocumented is estimated to be in the order of 10 million, of whom Irish people are but a small segment. Devising legislation that will address numbers of this magnitude in a sympathetic and comprehensive manner, while also taking into account the security dimension, poses a particular challenge. If I sound a note of caution, it is merely a recognition of the depth of the challenge inherent in this sensitive issue.

Senators may rest assured that the Government will continue to work intensively, at direct political level and through active lobbying by the ambassador and the embassy, to achieve the best possible outcome for our undocumented citizens. In the light of this debate we will now be in the enhanced position on Capitol Hill of having the full and enthusiastic backing of this House for the Kennedy-McCain Bill and for a new beginning for our undocumented in the United States.

I pay tribute to all of our emigrants in all parts of the world. I have had the honour of meeting and addressing many of our emigrants in all five continents over the years. They are all unofficial ambassadors of this country and have ensured a universal respect for Ireland in all parts of the world. This debate confirms the respect of Senators for these people. We must all continue to support them, when and where necessary, as their concerns, priorities and problems are similar to those of us fortunate enough to have remained on the island of Ireland.