Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 112: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on whether potential exists, during this US presidential year, to make progress in respect of the undocumented Irish issue; the contacts he has had recently in the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3945/08]

Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 221: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding the undocumented Irish in the United States; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3972/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 112 and 221 together.

The Government attributes the highest importance to resolving the plight of our undocumented citizens in the United States. I have also made it a personal priority as Minister, and will continue to do so. The passage of the agreed Motion by the Dáil on 7 November sent an important and timely message of solidarity from all parties of the House to our undocumented community.

Following the failure of the US Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform legislation last June, despite the strong endorsement and encouragement of President Bush, the Government immediately set about exploring with key US Administration and Congressional contacts possible alternative bilateral options.

I emphasised our interest in and support for a bilateral solution for our undocumented citizens in a series of meetings with key US Administration and Congressional figures during a visit to Washington last October. Since the all-party Motion was passed, the Taoiseach had a detailed telephone call with Senator Edward Kennedy on 7 December, in which he again reiterated the Government's strong support for a bilateral solution. At a meeting with the US Ambassador later the same month, I forcefully made the same point. Likewise, our Ambassador and his Embassy colleagues in Washington are in ongoing discussions with Congressional, Administration and Irish community figures, including Senators Kennedy and Schumer, on possible ways forward.

Achieving progress on immigration at this time, in the middle of a Presidential campaign, is exceptionally difficult. Our many friends in Congress have emphasised this, including the difficulty of passing legislation specifically for our citizens separate from the other 11 million undocumented.

Despite these considerable political difficulties, the Government is determined to make every effort to succeed. The Taoiseach will again be pursuing our case very actively at the highest level on his visit to the U.S. over the St. Patrick's Day period, as will the Ambassador and his colleagues on an ongoing basis on the ground in Washington.