Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 395: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress that has been made to resolve US visa and immigration issues for the Irish people who do not meet with the current criteria but have established roots in the US; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32972/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The welfare of the undocumented Irish in the United States remains an issue of the highest priority for the Government. I raise our concerns in all of my dealings with key figures in the US Administration and Legislature. In particular, I emphasise our strong support for measures that would enable the undocumented to regularise their status and have open to them a path to permanent residency.

The passage through the US Senate last May of a comprehensive bill on immigration, with provisions that would provide a path to permanent residency for the majority of the undocumented, represented a significant and positive development in the legislative debate. While encouraged by the passing of the Senate bill, we recognise that securing overall Congressional agreement on this sensitive and divisive issue remains a very considerable challenge. In view of this, we greatly appreciate the firm commitment to a comprehensive solution that Senator Kennedy, Senator McCain and others continue to promote.

In addition to taking every opportunity in contacts with US political leaders to emphasise the importance of addressing this issue in a constructive and sympathetic way, I also met on 27th September in New York with representatives of the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform, an organisation that very effectively represents the views of the undocumented Irish, and which the Government has been happy to support financially. I also had at that time a valuable exchange with Irish community welfare and advisory groups in the New York area.

The Deputy can be fully assured that the Government's efforts on behalf of the undocumented Irish will continue to be accorded the highest priority.