Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 164: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress on an amnesty for the undocumented Irish in the US; the result of recent discussions he has had with his EU counterparts in the regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18852/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Since the tragic events of 11 September 2001, immigration has become a highly sensitive and divisive issue in the United States. There is, in particular, a widespread and strongly held view in Congress that an amnesty for the undocumented should not be on the agenda. Members who have visited Washington in recent times will have come away with this clear message. However, there have been positive developments recently. In a significant development on 12 May, Senators Kennedy and McCain, in co-operation with several of their colleagues in the House, published a Bill which would, inter alia, provide a way for the undocumented to seek the regularisation of their status. The Government has warmly welcomed the Bill. As with all legislative proposals in the US, the Kennedy-McCain initiative will have to be considered in detail by Congress, and we can anticipate a vigorous debate in this regard.

The issue of our undocumented has the highest priority for the Government. The Taoiseach and I raised this issue, as well as that of wider immigration reform, with President Bush when we met him on St. Patrick's Day, as we also did on Capitol Hill at that time. The President re-affirmed to us his willingness to work with Congress in advancing reform.

Our priority in the period ahead will be to lobby strongly in support of the Kennedy-McCain Bill, and to encourage the White House to become involved in support of the reform process. It is not necessary to have a discussion with my EU colleagues in this regard. If this should be seen to be helpful at any stage, I will have it raised in the first instance at the regular meetings of EU ambassadors in Washington.