Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 28: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the discussions he has had with the United States authorities regarding the present difficult situation being experienced by undocumented Irish persons living there; if his attention has been drawn to the present status of the McCain-Kennedy Bill; and his advice to young Irish persons who find themselves in this difficult situation. [27048/05]

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 77: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has had any recent contact with his US counterpart with regard to new proposals for the regularisation of citizenship for persons resident illegally in the United States; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26898/05]

Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 115: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress made regarding the Kennedy-McCain initiative in the United States to deal with the status of Irish emigrants to the USA over recent months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26861/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 28, 77, and 115 together.

The Deputies can be assured that the welfare of undocumented Irish is a matter of the highest priority for the Government. In all of our contacts with US political leaders, including when the Taoiseach and I met with President Bush in March, we emphasise the importance of addressing the situation in a positive and sympathetic way. In doing so, we appreciate that immigration is a highly sensitive and divisive issue in the United States, in particular since the tragic events of 11 September 2001.

In line with this approach, the Government warmly welcomed the very significant and positive contribution made to the debate on immigration with the introduction last May of the Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act by Senator Kennedy and Senator McCain, and by Members of the House of Representatives. Its provisions, if passed into law, would significantly improve the situation of the undocumented Irish in the United States. The Government strongly endorses this bill, and the embassy in Washington is actively seeking support for it on Capitol Hill.

In order to most clearly and effectively reflect the concern shared by members of the Oireachtas on this issue, I also proposed today's debate and all-party motion of support for the Kennedy-McCain Bill. My proposal followed from helpful and positive meetings which an Oireachtas delegation led by the Ceann Comhairle had on Capitol Hill recently, including with Senator McCain.

The current situation with the Kennedy-McCain Bill is that it had its first reading in the Senate and was then referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. A preliminary committee hearing of the Kennedy-McCain Bill, and of also another immigration Bill known as the Kyl-Cornyn Bill, took place on 26 July. We understand that a further committee hearing is likely to take place soon.

In addition to my commitment to advance the interests of the undocumented through legislative reform, I recently announced grants to Irish immigration centres in the US totalling US$915,000. This represented an increase of 40% on last year. I would suggest that any Irish person in need of guidance at this complex time of change should approach one of these centres. They provide a range of invaluable information and advisory services to our community across the US. We are warmly appreciative of their effective and caring support for the more vulnerable members of our community. I myself met recently in New York with representatives of the centres from various parts of the US and heard at first hand of their concerns and priorities. They also expressed deep appreciation of the substantially increased funding of their activities by the Government.