Written answers

Wednesday, 22 February 2006

Department of Foreign Affairs

Emigrant Support Services

9:00 pm

Photo of Pat BreenPat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 105: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps being taken to assist the undocumented Irish in the US; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6807/06]

Photo of Jack WallJack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 122: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position in relation to the Kennedy McCain Bill in the US legislature which addresses the urgent position of the out of status Irish in the United States. [7001/06]

Photo of Dan NevilleDan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 149: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position with regard to the Government's contact with the US Administration to support the Kennedy McCain Immigration Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6846/06]

Photo of Dermot AhernDermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 105, 122 and 149 together.

The Government attaches the highest priority to the issue of the undocumented Irish in the United States. We raise our concerns in all of our contacts with US political leaders and emphasise the importance of addressing the situation in a positive and sympathetic way.

We appreciate of course that immigration is a highly divisive and sensitive issue in the US. The current legislative debate in the US Congress involves differing approaches and strongly held opinions. Some members of the US Congress, for example, are strongly opposed to any proposals which would allow undocumented people the opportunity to regularise their status. This was clear from a debate in the House of Representatives in December on an immigration Bill which concentrates on enforcement and security measures and does not propose provisions that would regularise the status of the undocumented. Achieving the necessary compromise remains a formidable challenge.

The focus of the debate has shifted to the US Senate. Indications are that the Senate judiciary committee will discuss the immigration issue again in early March. The proposals before them include the Bill sponsored by Senator Kennedy and Senator McCain, as well as the Kyl-Cornyn Bill and a compromise text proposed by Senator Specter, chairman of the Senate judiciary committee.

Deputies can be assured that in all of my meetings with US contacts, including with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and key congressional figures, I have made known the Government's support, and the support of the Oireachtas, for the approach favoured by Senators Kennedy and McCain. Their Bill has also been strongly endorsed by the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform, a group established in December to mobilise grassroots support within the Irish community in the US for immigration reform. I welcome the establishment of this organisation and recently approved a grant to it of €30,000 towards its operational expenses.

In the critical period ahead, as various proposals are debated and compromises are put forward, we will continue to make known our strong support for the inclusion in final legislation of the key elements of the Kennedy McCain Bill. The situation continues to receive the most careful, active and ongoing monitoring and assessment. In addition, the Government's views will be conveyed at the highest level over the St. Patrick's Day period in Washington.

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